scholarly journals The Impact of the Time Interval Between Cycles on Pregnancy Outcome of Intrauterine Insemination

Author(s):  
shuai zhang ◽  
minglian zhou ◽  
Hanhan Tang ◽  
Huijuan Guan ◽  
Huaiyun Tang

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate whether the time interval between two intrauterine inseminations (IUI) treatments needs to be extended by one menstrual cycle or more, and whether this will have an impact on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR).Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.Study site: The study site was the reproductive medicine center of a teaching hospital.Patient(s): The subjects were women and their husbands who received two or more intrauterine insemination in our reproductive medicine center due to mild infertility in the period from January 2014 to December 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the number of days between the last menstrual day(LMD)and the previous IUI operation day(POD), continuous group (the time from the LMD to POD ≤ 34 days) and delayed group (the time from the LMD to POD ≥ 35 days). If the previous cycle was a pregnancy or abortion cycle, the next cycle immediately adjacent to it was defined as a new cycle, and the days between the two cycles were not included in the study.Intervention(s):No intervention.Main Outcome Measure(s): A total of 1491 cycles were finally included in the study.990 cycles followed by the second IUI cycle after the previous failure,501 cycles at least one menstrual cycle was separated between two IUI treatments. The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), with secondary outcomes including abortion rate and live birth rate. Differences in clinical pregnancy rate (CPR)、abortion rate and live birth rate were compared between the two groups.Result: No significant differences with regard to baseline demographic and the number of treatment cycles, the duration of infertility, the type of infertility, the mode of treatment, and the cause of infertility were observed between the two groups.There were no statistical differences between the delayed group vs continuous group regarding the clinical pregnancy rate(15.0% vs 13.7%), live birth rate(78.7% vs 74.3%), and abortion rate(17.3% vs 18.4%)(P>0.05).The above factors were included for binary logistic regression analysis. The observed difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the groups was not statistically significant after adjustment(OR = 1.101,95%CI 0.807-1.499, P=0.546).The all cycles were divided into four groups based on female age. results showed that when the female's age was ≤ 25 years old, the pregnancy rate in the continuous group was 16.5%, which was significantly higher than that in the delayed group by 5.8% (difference 0.107, 95% CI 0.016-0.198, P = 0.055), approached, but did not reach, statistical significance. When the female was 30-35 years old, the pregnancy rate in the delayed group was 19.4%, which was significantly higher than 10.9% in the continuous group (difference 0.085, 95% CI 0.016-0.154, P = 0.011). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. The all cycles were divided into three groups based on years of infertility. Our results show that when the number of years of infertility was≤2 years, the clinical pregnancy rate was 20.7% in the delayed group and 12.5% in the continuous group (difference 0.107, 95% CI 0.150-0.014, P = 0.013), statistical significance was maintained. Based on the number of treatment cycles, it is divided into 2 cycles, 3 cycles, and≥4 cycles. The results showed that when≥4 cycles, the pregnancy rate in the continuous group were 19.4%, which was significantly higher than 6.1% in the delayed group (difference 0.133, 95% CI 0.246-0.020, P = 0.038). Statistical significance was maintained at P < 0.05.Conclusions: Overall, prolonging the interval between two IUI did not significantly improve pregnancy outcomes. Yet, for different age stages, duration of infertility, and the number of treatment cycles, we suggest that more flexible treatment strategies can be tried to improve the clinical pregnancy rate.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Zhang ◽  
Linli Hu ◽  
Zhiqin Bu ◽  
Yingpu Sun

BackgroundSome studies have demonstrated that adenomyosis patients can achieve a comparable pregnancy outcome with women with normal uteruses, while there is no unanimous conclusion at present.MethodWe recruited 65 adenomyosis patients and 260 frequency-matched control women with endometriosis at a ratio of 1:4 according to age. Clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate, and live birth rate were compared between these two groups after controlling other factors.ResultsCompared with endometriosis patients, adenomyosis patients had a higher antral follicle count (AFC) (12.71 vs 11.65, P=0.027). Though the two groups had the same number of embryos transferred, adenomyosis patients had an obviously declined implantation rate (31.91% vs 46.74%, P=0.005), clinical pregnancy rate (47.06% vs 64.42%, P=0.028), live birth rate (31.37% vs 54.81%, P=0.004), and significantly increased spontaneous abortion rate (33.33% vs 13.43%, P=0.034). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that adenomyosis had adverse influences on pregnancy outcome when age and the number of embryo transfers were controlled (adjusted OR=0.361, P=0.003).ConclusionEven after being matched with age, adenomyosis still had adverse influences on the pregnancy outcome of IVF in patients undergoing the long protocol.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
shuai zhang ◽  
Ming-lian Zhou ◽  
Han-han Tang ◽  
Hui-juan Guan

Abstract ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to estimate whether the time interval between two intrauterine inseminations (IUI) treatments needs to be extended by one menstrual cycle or more in patients undergoing successive cycles of ovulation stimulation, and whether this will have an impact on the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR).Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.Study siteThe study site was the reproductive medicine center of a teaching hospital.Patient(s)The subjects were women and their husbands who received two or more intrauterine insemination in our reproductive medicine center due to mild infertility in the period from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the number of days between the last menstrual day(LMD)and the previous IUI operation day(POD), continuous group (the time from the LMD to POD ≤ 34 days) and delayed group (the time from the LMD to POD ≥ 35 days). We excluded cycles with intervals of more than 180 days.In order to avoid the inclusion of multiple repeat cycles for the same couple, only the first two cycles of IUI treatment in the same couple were allowed to be included in this study. That is, when they failed the first IUI cycle, they were given a second IUI treatment.Intervention(s)No intervention.Main Outcome Measure(s)A total of 550 cycles met the inclusion criteria, and 374 (68.0%) cycles met the inclusion criteria for the continuous group,the remaining 176 (32.0%) cycles with at least one or more menstruations between two IUI cycles were included in the delayed group.The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), with secondary outcomes including abortion rate. Differences in clinical pregnancy rate (CPR)、abortion rate were compared between the two groups.ResultThere was no significant difference between the continuous group and the delayed group in female age, male age, infertility duration, infertility type, female BMI, endometrial classification, endometrial thickness, semen volume before treatment, sperm density before treatment, percentage of forward motile sperm before treatment, sperm density after treatment, and percentage of forward motile sperm after treatment. There were no statistical differences between the delayed group vs continuous group regarding the clinical pregnancy rate (20.5 % vs 21.9 %) and abortion rate (27.8% vs 22.0%)(P>0.05). The above factors were included for binary logistic regression analysis. It was found that the increase of endometrial thickness promoted the clinical pregnancy rate, which was statistically significant (OR=1.205, 95% CI 1.05-1.384,P=0.008). Compared with primary infertility, secondary infertility can promote the improvement of clinical pregnancy rate, which is statistically significant (OR=2.637,95%CI 1.313-5.298,P=0.006). The effect of time interval between IUI on clinical pregnancy was not statistically significant (OR=1.007,95% CI 0.513-1.974,P=0.985).ConclusionsOverall, prolonging the interval between two IUI did not significantly improve pregnancy outcomes. Unless there are clear clinical indications, it is not necessary to deliberately prolong the interval between two treatments.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tal Lazer ◽  
Shir Dar ◽  
Ekaterina Shlush ◽  
Basheer S. Al Kudmani ◽  
Kevin Quach ◽  
...  

We examined whether treatment with minimum-dose stimulation (MS) protocol enhances clinical pregnancy rates compared to high-dose stimulation (HS) protocol. A retrospective cohort study was performed comparing IVF and pregnancy outcomes between MS and HS gonadotropin-antagonist protocol for patients with poor ovarian reserve (POR). Inclusion criteria included patients with an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) ≤8 pmol/L and/or antral follicle count (AFC) ≤5 on days 2-3 of the cycle. Patients from 2008 exclusively had a HS protocol treatment, while patients in 2010 had treatment with a MS protocol exclusively. The MS protocol involved letrozole at 2.5 mg over 5 days, starting from day 2, overlapping with gonadotropins, starting from the third day of letrozole at 150 units daily. GnRH antagonist was introduced once one or more follicles reached 14 mm or larger. The HS group received gonadotropins (≥300 IU/day) throughout their antagonist cycle. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the MS protocol compared to the HS protocol (P=0.007). Furthermore, the live birth rate was significantly higher in the MS group compare to the HS group (P=0.034). In conclusion, the MS IVF protocol is less expensive (lower gonadotropin dosage) and resulted in a higher clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate than a HS protocol for poor responders.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Yang ◽  
Bo Chen ◽  
Xiaoyan Sun ◽  
Qingyang Li ◽  
Qiumei Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background So far, only few literatures have studied the relationship between blastocyst transfer position and ART outcomes, and the conclusions are still controversial. Our study is to evaluate the effect of air bubble position on ART outcome and to find the optimal embryo transfer position in frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. Methods This study included a retrospective cohort analysis of 399 frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfers ultrasound-guided performed between June 1, 2017 and November 30, 2020. All of the women scheduled for frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfers ultrasound-guided. The primary outcome is clinical pregnancy rate and the secondary outcome is live birth rate. Statistical analyses were conducted using One-way Anova, Kruscal Whallis H test, chi-square test and Smooth curve fitting. Results When BFD was less than 19 mm, there was no significant change in clinical pregnancy rate as BFD increased (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.02, P = 0.1373); when BFD was more than 19 mm, the clinical pregnancy rate decreased by 16% for every 1 mm increase in BFD (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.98, P = 0.0363). The effect of BFD on live birth rate were similar to that on clinical pregnancy rate, the inflection point was 19mm, when BFD was more than 19 mm, the live birth rate decreases by 58% for every 1 mm increase in BFD (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.86, P = 0.0174) Conclusions The ideal pregnancy outcome can be achieved within 19mm from uterus fundus after single blastocyst transfer, The clinical pregnancy and live birth at a distance of more 19mm from the uterus fundus have a cliff-like downward trend.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Tang ◽  
Qian-Dong He ◽  
Ting-Ting Zhang ◽  
Jing-Jing Wang ◽  
Si-Chong Huang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Some studies stated that intra-uterine insemination (IUI) with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) might increase the chance of pregnancy, while others suggested that IUI in natural cycle (NC) should be the treatment of first choice. Whether it is necessary to use COS at the same time, when IUI is applied to treat male infertility solely? There is still no consensus.Objective: To investigate the efficacy of IUI with COS in male infertility solely?Methods: 544 IUI cycles from 280 couples who sought medical care for male infertility from January 2010 to February 2019 were divided into two groups: group NC-IUI and group COS-IUI. Besides, the COS-IUI group was further divided into two subgroups according to the number of pre-ovulatory follicles on the day of HCG: cycles with monofollicular development (1 follicle group) and cycles with at least two pre-ovulatory follicles (≥ 2 follicles group). The outcome of IUI, including clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, spontaneous abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate were compared.Results: The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, early spontaneous abortion rate, and ectopic pregnancy rate were comparable between NC-IUI group and COS-IUI group. Similar results were observed among NC-IUI group, 1 follicle group and ≥ 2 follicles group. However, when it comes to the multiple pregnancy rate, a trend toward higher multiple pregnancy rate was observed in the COS-IUI group compared that in the NC-IUI group (10.5% (2/19) vs. 0 (0/42), P=0.093), furthermore, a significant difference was found between NC-IUI group and ≥ 2 follicles group (0 vs. 20%, P =0.034).Conclusion: For male infertility, since in cycles with COS, especially in those with at least two pre-ovulatory follicles cycles, the multiple pregnancy rate increased without substantial gain in overall pregnancy rate, COS in IUI should not be recommended. If COS is required, one stimulated follicle and one health baby should be the goal considering the safety both for mothers and fetuses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Se. Sharma

Abstract Study question Male infertility due to idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia- Does combining Letrozole as antiestrogenic with Coenzyme Q10 as antioxidant give better pregnancy rate ? Summary answer Combination of Co enzyme Q10 with Letrozole can significantly improve semen parameters and outcome of clinical pregnancy rate in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermic patients. What is known already Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) are a major cause of idiopathic male factor infertility which results in sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and apoptosis leading to decrease sperm viability and motility. Antioxidant like Coenzyme Q10 have been used empiricallyin the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia based on its ability to reverse oxidative stress and sperm dysfunction. Aromatase inhibitor like Letrozolehave been used in idiopathic male infertility by reducing estrogenic effect on spermatogenesis and reducing feedback inhibition of hypothalamopituatarygonadal axis. Thus a therapeutic strategy would need to use supplements to increase sperm energy metabilism, minimise free radical damage. Study design, size, duration Study design: prospective comperative clinical study Primary purpose: treatmenr Size: 60 infertile male attending OPD of SHRISTI HEALTHCARE diagnosed as idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia Duration: from March2018 to February 2020 Primary outcome: improvement in sperm count, motility and morphology after treatment Secondary outcome: clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Participants/materials, setting, methods Exclusion criteria: Smoker, drug and alcohol abuse, medical treatment with gonadotropin and steroids, varicocele.60 patients were randomisedinto 3 groups. Gr A(N = 20) received Letrozole 2.5mg/day + Co enzyme Q10 300mg/day for 3 months, Gr B(N = 20) received Letrozole 2.5mg/day for 3 months, and Gr C(N = 20) received Coenzyme Q10 300mg/day for 3 months. History taking, general examination, semen analysis, sr.FSH,LH, Testesteron, E2 and scrotal duplex were done for all patients. Main results and the role of chance After treatment, Gr A as compared to Gr B and C showed significant imprivement in all 3 parameters of semen eg sperm count( 3.15±3.38 - 20.9±2.11, p &lt; 0.001), sperm motility( 5.25±3.25 - 42.85±3.30, p &lt; 0.001), sperm morphology( 2.26±7.81 - 25.89±7.05, p &lt; 0.001). Improvement in sperm count and morphology was seen in Gr B(Letrozole gr) but not in sperm motility whereas Gr C ( Co enzyme Q10 gr)showed significant improvement in sperm motility and morphology but not in sperm count. 10 pregnancies occured during follow up period of 1 yr. Clinical pregnancy rate was 30%in Gr A(6/20), 5% in Gr B(1/20), AND 15% in Gr C( 3/20). Live birth rate was 83% in Gr A(5/6), 33.3% inGr C(1/3) whereas sponteneous abortion occured in Gr B pregnancy. Limitations, reasons for caution Limitation of my study was the small sample sizewhich could have some bias in outcome. I did not evaluate DNA fragmentation and level of ROS. Latest evidences report that evaluating ROS can be a diagnostic tool in predictingthe best responder to supplementation. Wider implications of the findings: Majority of studies had investigated the effect of antioxidant and aromatase inhibitor on semen parameter but few concluded their effect on live birth rate. Assisted reproductive techniques are expensive and not universally available, so any pharmacological agent with satisfactory effectiveness should be considered as 1st line treatment of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Trial registration number Not applicable


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1411-1420
Author(s):  
Qi Qiu ◽  
Jia Huang ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Xiaoli Chen ◽  
Haiyan Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does an artificially induced FSH surge at the time of hCG trigger improve IVF/ICSI outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER An additional FSH bolus administered at the time of hCG trigger has no effect on clinical pregnancy rate, embryo quality, fertilization rate, implantation rate and live birth rate in women undergoing the long GnRH agonist (GnRHa) protocol for IVF/ICSI. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Normal ovulation is preceded by a surge in both LH and FSH. Few randomized clinical trials have specifically investigated the role of the FSH surge. Some studies indicated that FSH given at hCG ovulation trigger boosts fertilization rate and even prevents ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial conducted at a single IVF center, from June 2012 to November 2013. A sample size calculation indicated that 347 women per group would be adequate. A total of 732 women undergoing IVF/ICSI were randomized, using electronically randomized tables, to the intervention or placebo groups. Participants and clinical doctors were blinded to the treatment allocation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Patients aged ≤42 years who were treated with IVF/ICSI owing to tubal factor, male factor, unexplained, endometriosis and multiple factors were enrolled in this trial. Subjects all received a standard long GnRHa protocol for IVF/ICSI and hCG 6000–10 000 IU to trigger oocyte maturation. A total of 364 and 368 patients were randomized to receive a urinary FSH (uFSH) bolus (6 ampules, 450 IU) and placebo, respectively, at the time of the hCG trigger. The primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy rate. The secondary outcome measures were FSH level on the day of oocyte retrieval, number of oocytes retrieved, good-quality embryo rate, live birth rate and rate of OHSS. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There were no significant differences in the baseline demographic characteristics between the two study groups. There were also no significant differences between groups in cycle characteristics, such as the mean number of stimulation days, total gonadotrophin dose and peak estradiol. The clinical pregnancy rate was 51.6% in the placebo group and 52.7% in the FSH co-trigger group, with an absolute rate difference of 1.1% (95% CI −6.1% to 8.3%). The number of oocytes retrieved was 10.47 ± 4.52 and 10.74 ± 5.01 (P = 0.44), the rate of good-quality embryos was 37% and 33.9% (P = 0.093) and the implantation rate was 35% and 36% (P = 0.7) in the placebo group and the FSH co-trigger group, respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This was a single-center study, which may limit its effectiveness. The use of uFSH is a limitation, as this is not the same as the natural FSH. We did not collect follicular fluid for further study of molecular changes after the use of uFSH as a co-trigger. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Based on previous data and our results, an additional FSH bolus administered at the time of hCG trigger has no benefit on clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing the long GnRHa protocol in IVF/ICSI: a single hCG trigger is sufficient. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC1000205); Sun Yat-Sen University Clinical Research 5010 Program (2016004); the Science and Technology Project of Guangdong Province (2016A020216011 and 2017A020213028); and Science Technology Research Project of Guangdong Province (S2011010004662). There are no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-TRC-12002246). TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 20 May 2012. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT 10 June 2012.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  

Different forms of exogenous progesterone have been seen to play a very important role in endometrial maturity. Implantation failure appears to be a significant factor in Assisted reproductive technique (ART) procedures. Even a mature endometrium becomes non-receptive, preventing implantation or rejection of implanted embryo in early months of pregnancy. Hence natural micronized progesterone (NMP) and dydrogesterone have been used since decades to improve endometrial maturity and receptivity. The aim of this study was to investigate causes of failed implantation inspite of uneventful Grade I embryo transfer in ART procedure and the role of natural micronized progesterone (NMP) and dydrogesterone for endometrial maturation. 80 women aged range between 25-40 yr old who visited Department of Reproductive Medicine at Calcutta Fertility Mission, over a period of 24 months (January 2017 to December 2019), satisfying the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Endometrial aspirate histopathology was done during the secretory phase. They were treated with natural micronized progesterone (NMP) or oral dydrogesterone and results of endometrial changes, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and miscarriage rate were statistically analysed. 26.25% and 29.6% of women were seen to have mid-secretory changes of the endometrium after being treated with NMP in one cycle and dydrogesterone in the subsequent cycle, respectively. 62.71% of women had shown early-secretory changes with dydrogesterone which was statistically significant compared to those treated with NMP (p value=0.006).8.5% of these women showed persistent non-secretory endometrium with either of these medications. The Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR) was 38.1% and 47% in the group of patients who were treated with NMP and dydrogesterone respectively. Though pregnancy rate was slightly higher in dydrogesterone group, it was not statistically significant (p value = 0.578). 28.5% and 41% women had live births and 9.5% and 5.8% of them had miscarriage in NMP and dydrogesterone group, respectively, though our data appears to be statistically not significant (p value –0.415) (p value – 0.679). In our study 26.25% women had mid-secretory endometrium after treatment with NMP. 29.6% and 62.71% of these women who had non-secretory or early secretory endometrial changes on treatment with intravaginal NMP, showed endometrial mid-secretory and early-secretory changes respectively, on treatment with dydrogesterone, which implies that oral dydrogesterone is superior to NMP when administered for endometrial maturation in selected patients. Clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate or miscarriage rate were similar with either NMP or dydrogesterone.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung Joo Kim ◽  
Seung-Ah Choe ◽  
Eun A Park ◽  
Ran Kim ◽  
You Shin Kim

Abstract Backgound: IVM has emerged as a safe and promising alternative procedure to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for minimizing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients with PCOS. Despite the comparable obstetric and perinatal outcomes, there are no definite factors known to affect the outcomes of IVM.Methods: Retrospective analysis of a total of 313 women with PCOS undergoing 427 hCG-primed IVM cycles between January 2010 and February 2016 at the Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The number of retrieved oocytes and maturation, fertilization, and implantation rates were analyzed. Results: After transferring a mean of 2.4 ± 0.5 fresh embryos, the clinical pregnancy rate was 39.1% (n = 167), and the live birth rate was 30.7% (n = 131) with the implantation rate of 20.9%. The numbers of retrieved (18.1 ± 9.7 vs. 15.6 ± 8.7, p = 0.014), fertilized (8.6 ± 5.2 vs. 6.6 ± 3.8, p < 0.001) oocytes; good-quality embryos (1.3 ± 0.9 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9, p = 0.001); and blastocyst transfer cycles (22 vs. 15, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the live birth group than in the no live birth group. Among the factors associated with live births, retrieved oocytes had a slightly positive effect on live birth (RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00, 1.06; p = 0.021).Conclusions: It seems that the number of retrieved oocytes has a favorable effect in increasing the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate during hCG-primed IVM procedure in women with PCOS. Physicians’ skills and cautious efforts may be required to retrieve a higher number of oocytes in IVM procedures.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
xiaoyue Shen ◽  
Min Ding ◽  
Yuan Yan ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
jianjun Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To evaluate the frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) outcomes of repeated cryopreservation by vitrification of blastocysts derived from vitrified-warmed day3 embryos in patients who experienced implantation failure previously. Methods We retrospect the files of patients who underwent single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles in our reproductive medical center from January 2013 to December 2019. 127 patients transfer of vitrified-warmed blastocysts derived from vitrified-warmed day3 embryos were defined as twice-cryopreserved group. 1567 patients who transfer blastocysts that had experienced once vitrified-warmed were used as once-cryopreserved group. None of them was pregnant at the previous FET. The outcomes were compared between two groups after a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Results The clinical pregnancy rate was 52.76%, live birth rate was 43.31% in twice-cryopreserved group. After PSM,108 pairs of patients were generated for comparison. The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate or miscarriage rate was not significantly different between two groups. Logistic regression analysis indicated that double vitrification-warming procedures did not affect FET outcomes in terms of clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.83, 95%CI 0.47-1.42), live birth rate (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.54-1.59), miscarriage rate (OR 0.72 95%CI 0.28-1.85). Furthermore, the pregnancy complications rate, gestational age or neonatal abnormalities rate between two groups was also comparable, while twice vitrification-warming procedures might increase the macrosomia rate (19.6% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.05). Conclusion Transfer of double vitrified-warmed embryo at cleavage stage and subsequent blastocyst stage did not affect live birth rate and neonatal abnormalities rate, but there was a tendency to increase macrosomia rate, which needs further investigation.


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