scholarly journals Perinatal outcomes of human singletons conceived naturally versus assisted reproductive technologies: analysis of the effect of stimulated IVF, modified natural IVF, and frozen embryo transfer

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adhwaa Khudhari ◽  
Ali Mourad ◽  
Simon Phillips ◽  
Mohammad Zubair Alam ◽  
Robert Hemmings ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Obstetrical outcomes in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were compared with naturally conceived pregnancies and among each other in multiple reports. However, many important changes in the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) over the years, including single embryo transfers (sET) and the introduction of modified natural IVF (mnIVF), and the advances in the frozen embryo transfer (FET) might have impacted the outcomes. Our study is the first to our knowledge to assess four different groups, including spontaneous pregnancies, mnIVF, stimulated IVF (sIVF), and FET altogether in a head-to-head comparison. This is a retrospective study on perinatal outcomes of singleton babies conceived naturally or using three different ART protocols between 2011 and 2014. The primary objective was the comparison of gestational age and birth weight between spontaneously conceived pregnancies (NAT, n= 15,770), mnIVF (n=235), sIVF (n=389), and FET (n=222). Results Our results show a significant difference in favor of naturally conceived pregnancies over ART in term of gestational age. In fact, the gestational age of babies in the NAT group was statistically higher compared to each one of the ART groups alone. Regarding the birth weight, the mean was significantly higher in the FET group compared to the other categories. Conclusion Differences in perinatal outcomes are still found among babies born after different modes of conception. However, there is still need for well-designed high-quality trials assessing perinatal outcomes between naturally conceived pregnancies and different ART protocols based on different maternal and treatment characteristics.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
O. Sebastián ◽  
F. Guerrero ◽  
R. Romero ◽  
F. Muñoz ◽  
A. Parlange ◽  
...  

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) continue to develop rapidly, allowing for the development of techniques to increase reproductive efficiency and contribute to the genetic improvement of cattle. Some of these techniques include in vitro production (IVP) of embryos and embryo transfer. These modern ART can help produce offspring with highly desirable characteristics. However, there is a lack of information on the percentage of pregnancies obtained following transfer (P/ET) of IVP embryos derived using semen of cloned Bos indicus bulls. The objective of this study was to compare embryo transfer results of IVP embryos created using frozen-thawed semen from 5 Brahman bulls (Bos indicus) with characteristics and genetics of high commercial value. The embryos were produced on two different dates, 45 days apart, using pooled oocytes harvested by ovum pickup from 15 Brahman cows at random stages of the oestrous cycle. Procedures for IVP were performed in a commercial laboratory (Genemex Internacional) in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. For IVF, conventional semen was used from 1 bull (B1) and his clone (B12), the grandson of B1 (B2), and from 2 nonrelated bulls (B3 and B4). A total of 100 embryos were transferred nonsurgically by a private practitioner on a ranch in the state of Campeche, Mexico. The recipients were commercial crossbred cows synchronized using a FTET program. On Day 0, recipients received an intravaginal device containing 1.9g of progesterone (CIDR) and 2mg of oestradiol benzoate IM. On Day 8, the CIDR was removed and cows received 25mg of dinoprost tromethamine, 200IU of eCG, and 0.5mg of oestradiol cypionate IM. Embryos were transferred on Day 17. The overall P/ET was 42% (42/100). The P/ET for IVP embryos produced with semen from bulls B1, B12, B2, B3, and B4 was 3/15 (20%), 3/8 (37%), 23/42 (55%), 8/20 (40%), and 5/15 (33%), respectively. The P/ET was numerically greater for embryos produced using semen from the cloned bull (37%; B12) compared to embryos produced using semen from the original noncloned bull (20%; B1), although this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.62, Fisher’s exact test). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) for the P/ET obtained with embryos produced using semen from bulls B1 and B2, but results for the other bulls were not significantly different. As far as we know, this is the first scientific report in Mexico concerning the use and comparison of semen from cloned and noncloned bulls for the production and transfer of bovine IVP embryos. In general, a wide numerical range of P/ET using the different bulls was observed (i.e. 20-55%). In this preliminary study, there was no impact of using frozen-thawed semen from a cloned bull for IVP on P/ET. The results from this research can contribute to the study and development of ART to improve P/ET obtained using Zebu IVP embryos. However, further research with a larger numbers of animals is required to confirm whether using semen from cloned and noncloned Bos indicus bulls for IVP impacts pregnancy success following embryo transfer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinfeng Zhang ◽  
Haining Luo ◽  
Ying Han ◽  
Bolun Zhang ◽  
Junfang Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to explore the influence of endometrial thickness (EMT) before embryo transfer on birth weight after in vitro fertilization–frozen-embryo transfer (IVF–FET).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. We collected the medical records associated with singleton live births from Tianjin Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from June 2015 to February 2019 after IVF–frozen-embryo transfer (FET). Patients were ≤ 42 years at delivery. Outcomes related to newborns were birth weight, gestational age, delivery mode, low birth weight, and prevalence of macrosomia. Outcomes related to pregnant women were gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, premature rupture of membranes and placenta previa.ResultsThe birth weight of singleton newborns was higher for newborns delivered by patients with EMT > 12 mm before embryo transfer than newborns delivered by patients with a thinner endometrium. Regression analysis showed that the EMT ≥ 12 mm group had a gain in mean birth weight of 85.107 g compared with that in the EMT < 8 mm group, whereas the group with EMT of 8–12 mm had an increase in mean birth weight of 25.942 g compared with that in the EMT < 8 mm group. Hypertension during pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, newborn sex, gestational age, delivery mode, number of implanted embryos, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, estradiol (E2) level, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were all independent predictors of newborn birth weight. The regression model for predicting the newborn birth weight was: Y (birth weight) = 25.942×(EMT of 8–12 mm) + 85.107×(EMT > 12 mm) + 123.483×(hypertension during pregnancy) + 148.859×(premature rupture of membranes) + 182.342×(placental position) − 126.242×(newborn sex) + 23.837×(number of days of pregnancy) + 130.487×(delivery mode) − 55.023×(number of implanted embryos) − 6.215×FSH level − 1.124×E2 level + 22.218×BMI − 4468.101.Conclusion(s)EMT before embryo transfer in patients undergoing their first freeze–thaw embryo transfer cycle is related to the weight of newborn singletons. The newborn birth weight for patients with a thinner endometrium is lower. EMT should be increased before embryo transfer to improve neonatal outcomes after fertility treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 818-827
Author(s):  
Leila Naserpoor ◽  
◽  
Katayoun Berjis ◽  
Rahil Jannatifar ◽  
◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Applying Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) is increasing. A critical step in ART is the frozen embryo transfer, in which the endometrium thickness has great significance in the outcome. In this case, the frozen embryo will be transferred during the next cycle. There are several ways to prepare an endometrium for transmitting embryos; however, choosing the best method remains debated. The present study aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rate of frozen embryo transfer in the presence or absence of GnRH agonists. Methods & Materials: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 146 consecutive patients attending Qom’s infertility treatment center from 2015 to 2017; these subjects were candidates for the transfer cycle of the frozen-thawed embryo and randomly assigned to receive either protocol with or without GnRH agonist. Clinical features, implantation rate, pregnancy rate (chemical & clinical), and abortion rate were assessed. Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research of Mashhad University (Code: IR.ACECR.JDM.REC.1398.001). Results: There was no significant difference in baseline and clinical characteristics, implantation rate, pregnancy rate (chemical & clinical), and abortion rate between the study groups of endometrial preparations with or without GnRH agonist (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, pregnancy outcome was similar in both study groups; thus, this method is recommended as an endometrial preparation without GnRH agonist.


2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yana Nikolayevna Kravchuk ◽  
Alla Stanislavovna Kalugina ◽  
Olga Vladimirovna Bystrova ◽  
Svetlana Aleksandrovna Shlykova

Background. Embryo cryopreservation is an essential part of ART programs today. In recent years vitrification method is used increasingly widely. Purposes and tasks. To compare the effectiveness of ART programs using vitrified and fresh embryos, as well as different endometrial preparation regimes for frozen\thawed embryo transfer (modified natural cycle (MNC) and the preparatory hormone therapy(PHT)). To analyze the course of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes after vitrified embryo transfer. Materials and methods. We prospectively assessed the ART programs effectiveness and perinatal outcomes in 153 patients (I group), who underwent vitrified embryo transfer in 2011-2013 year. To prepare the endometrium for thawed embryo transfer in 83 patients PHT (Ia subgroup) and MNC in 70 patients (Ib subgroup) were used. Control group consisted of 70 patients, who underwent fresh embryo transfer. Results. The clinical pregnancy rate, birth rate and “take home baby” rate were not significantly different between the I (47,5 %; 30,9 %; 30,9 %) and II (53,0 %; 34,9 %; 32,5 %) groups, and between Ia (48,3 %; 28,4 %; 28,4 %) and IIb (46,6 %; 34,1 %; 34,1 %) subgroups. Complications during pregnancy and delivery, birthweight, length, Apgar score, congenital malformation rate did not differ significantly after vitrified and fresh embryo transfer. Conclusion. Vitrification is an effective method to achieve clinical results, comparable to native cycles. Application of PHT and MNC results in similar clinical outcomes. Transfer Vitrified embryo transfer does not have a negative impact on obstetric and perinatal outcomes when compared with native cycles.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Chen ◽  
Yong Peng ◽  
Xinyi Ma ◽  
Siming Kong ◽  
Shuangyan Tang ◽  
...  

AbstractThe births of more than 8 million infants have been enabled globally through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with either fresh embryo transfer (ET) or frozen embryo transfer (FET). However, the potential for elevated risks of ART-related disorders persists in adult life, and the underlying epigenetic mechanisms are largely uncharacterized. Here, we recruited 100 nuclear families and profiled the DNA methylomes, genome-wide histone modifications and transcriptomes to clarify the inherent extra risks attributable to specific ART procedures. We discovered that IVF-ET seemed to introduce less disturbance into the infant epigenome than IVF-FET or ICSI-ET did. Furthermore, we noted approximately half of the DNA methylomic changes in ART-conceived offspring could be explained by parental background biases. Through removal of the parental effect, we confirmed that ART per se would introduce minor DNA methylation changes locally. More importantly, we found that ART-induced epigenomic alterations were highly enriched in the processes which might contribute to increased incidence of preeclampsia during pregnancy and metabolic syndrome in offspring. Overall, our study provides an epigenetic basis for the potential long-term health risks in ART-conceived offspring that reinforces the need to review all methods of human ART.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhexin Ni ◽  
Shuai Sun ◽  
Wen Cheng ◽  
Jin Yu ◽  
Dongxia Zhai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have investigated the effect of maternal age on assisted reproductive technology (ART) success rates. However, little is known about the relationship between maternal age and neonatal birthweight in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Does maternal age have an impact on singleton birthweight in FET cycles?Methods This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care centre, involving singleton live births born to women undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer during the period from January 2010 to December 2017. A total of 12565 women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled and were grouped into four groups according to the maternal age: <30, 30–34, 35–39, and ≥ 40 years old. Maternal age between 30 and 34 years old was taken as a reference group. Singleton birthweight was the key outcome measure. A multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted to reveal the relationship between maternal age and neonatal birthweight with controlling for a number of potential confounders.Results A modest decrease but no significant difference in birthweight and gestational age- and gender-adjusted birthweight (Z-scores) was observed in maternal age over 35 years old as compared with group with 30–34 years old. Further, multiple linear regression analyses indicated that maternal body mass index (BMI), embryo developmental stage at transfer, parity, number of embryos transferred, FET endometrial preparation, endometrial thickness, gestational age and newborn gender were all independent predictors of neonatal birthweight.Conclusion Grouping with different maternal age was not associated with mean birthweight and Z-scores of singletons resulting from FET.


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