scholarly journals Reduced pregnancy and live birth rates after in vitro fertilization in women with previous Caesarean section: a retrospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Vissers ◽  
T C Sluckin ◽  
C C Repelaer van Driel-Delprat ◽  
R Schats ◽  
C J M Groot ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Does a previous Caesarean section affect reproductive outcomes, including live birth, in women after IVF or ICSI? SUMMARY ANSWER A previous Caesarean section impairs live birth rates after IVF or ICSI compared to a previous vaginal delivery. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Rates of Caesarean sections are rising worldwide. Late sequelae of a Caesarean section related to a niche (Caesarean scar defect) include gynaecological symptoms and obstetric complications. A systematic review reported a lower pregnancy rate after a previous Caesarean section (RR 0.91 CI 0.87–0.95) compared to a previous vaginal delivery. So far, studies have been unable to causally differentiate between problems with fertilisation, and the transportation or implantation of an embryo. Studying an IVF population allows us to identify the effect of a previous Caesarean section on the implantation of embryos in relation to a previous vaginal delivery. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We retrospectively studied the live birth rate in women who had an IVF or ICSI treatment at the IVF Centre, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between 2006 and 2016 with one previous delivery. In total, 1317 women were included, of whom 334 had a previous caesarean section and 983 had previously delivered vaginally. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS All secondary infertile women, with only one previous delivery either by caesarean section or vaginal delivery, were included. If applicable, only the first fresh embryo transfer was included in the analyses. Patients who did not intend to undergo embryo transfer were excluded. The primary outcome was live birth. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used with adjustment for possible confounders ((i) age; (ii) pre-pregnancy BMI; (iii) pre-pregnancy smoking; (iv) previous fertility treatment; (v) indication for current fertility treatment: (a) tubal, (b) male factor and (c) endometriosis; (vi) embryo quality; and (vii) endometrial thickness), if applicable. Analysis was by intention to treat (ITT). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable. Live birth rates were significantly lower in women with a previous caesarean section than in women with a previous vaginal delivery, 15.9% (51/320) versus 23.3% (219/941) (OR 0.63 95% CI 0.45–0.87) in the ITT analyses. The rates were also lower for ongoing pregnancy (20.1 versus 28.1% (OR 0.64 95% CI 0.48–0.87)), clinical pregnancy (25.7 versus 33.8% (OR 0.68 95% CI 0.52–0.90)) and biochemical test (36.2 versus 45.5% (OR 0.68 95% CI 0.53–0.88)). The per protocol analyses showed the same differences (live birth rate OR 0.66 95% CI 0.47–0.93 and clinical pregnancy rate OR 0.72 95% CI 0.54–0.96). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is limited by its retrospective design. Furthermore, 56 (16.3%) cases lacked data regarding delivery outcomes, but these were equally distributed between the two groups. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The lower clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer indicate that implantation is hampered after a caesarean section. Its relation with a possible niche (caesarean scar defect) in the uterine caesarean scar needs further study. Our results should be discussed with clinicians and patients who consider an elective caesarean section. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Not applicable. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This study has been registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Ref. No. NL7631 http://www.trialregister.nl).

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolein M. van den Tweel ◽  
Nicole F. Klijn ◽  
Juan D. N. Diaz de Pool ◽  
Lucette A. J. van der Westerlaken ◽  
Leoni A. Louwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (08) ◽  
pp. 844-850
Author(s):  
Oya Aldemir ◽  
Runa Ozelci ◽  
Emre Baser ◽  
Iskender Kaplanoglu ◽  
Serdar Dilbaz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number and the quality of embryos transferred are important predictors of success in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In the presence of more than one good quality embryo on the transfer day, double-embryo transfer (DET) can be performed with these embryos, but generally, different quality embryos are present in the available transfer cohort. We aimed to investigate the effect of transferring a poor quality embryo along with a good quality embryo on IVF outcomes. Methods In this study, 2298 fresh IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles with two good quality embryos (group A), one good and one poor quality embryo (group B), and single good quality embryo (group C) transfers were examined. All groups were divided into two subgroups according to the transfer day as cleavage or blastocyst stage. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were the primary outcomes. Results In the cleavage stage transfer subgroups, the clinical pregnancy rates were lower in the single-embryo transfer (SET) subgroup compared with DET subgroups, but the difference was not statistically significant compared with DET with mixed quality embryos. The live birth rates were comparable between the three groups. In the blastocyst transfer subgroups, the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in DET with two good quality embryos than DET with mixed quality embryos and SET groups. Multiple pregnancy rates were higher in both DET groups in terms of transfer day (p = 0.001). Conclusion DET with mixed quality embryos results with lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared with DET with two good quality embryos at the blastocyst stage. At cleavage stage transfer, there is no difference in live birth rates between the two groups.


Author(s):  
Racca Annalisa ◽  
Panagiotis Drakopoulos ◽  
Samuel dos Santos Ribeiro ◽  
Christophe Blockeel

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Linjun Chen ◽  
Zhenyu Diao ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Zhipeng Xu ◽  
Ningyuan Zhang ◽  
...  

Summary This study analyzed the effects of the day of trophectoderm (TE) biopsy and blastocyst grade on clinical and neonatal outcomes. The results showed that the implantation and live birth rates of day 5 (D5) TE biopsy were significantly higher compared with those of D6 TE biopsy. The miscarriage rate of the former was lower than that of the latter, but there was no statistically significant difference. Higher quality blastocysts can achieve better implantation and live birth rates. Among good quality blastocysts, the implantation and live birth rates of D5 and D6 TE biopsy were not significantly different. Among fair quality and poor quality blastocysts, the implantation and live birth rates of D5 TE biopsy were significantly higher compared with those of D6 TE biopsy. Neither blastocyst grade nor the day of TE biopsy significantly affected the miscarriage rate. Neonatal outcomes, including newborn sex, gestational age, preterm birth, birth weight and low birth weight in the D5 and D6 TE biopsies were not significantly different. Both blastocyst grade and the day of TE biopsy must be considered at the same time when performing preimplantation genetic testing–frozen embryo transfer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Heidenberg ◽  
A Lanes ◽  
E Ginsburg ◽  
C Gordon

Abstract Study question How do live birth rates differ in anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothalamic hypogonadism compared to normo-ovulatory women undergoing fresh or frozen embryo transfer? Summary answer Live birth rates are similar among all groups undergoing fresh embryo transfer but are significantly lower in women with hypothalamic hypogonadism undergoing frozen embryo transfer. What is known already Conflicting data exist regarding pregnancy outcomes in patients with tubal factor infertility versus polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some studies demonstrate higher pregnancy and live birth rates for women with PCOS undergoing fresh embryo transfer, but other studies demonstrate no difference. Women with PCOS have higher live birth rates than those with tubal factor infertility when undergoing frozen embryo transfer. Fewer data are available regarding IVF outcomes in women with hypothalamic hypogonadism (HH) and tubal factor infertility. Several studies report comparable live birth rates with fresh embryo transfer, but there are no data on frozen embryo transfer outcomes. Study design, size, duration Retrospective cohort study of all fresh and frozen autologous embryo transfers performed for patients with oligo-anovulation (PCOS, n = 380 and HH, n = 39) and normo-ovulation (tubal factor infertility, n = 315) from 1/1/2012 to 6/30/2019. A total of 734 transfers from 653 patients were analyzed. Participants/materials, setting, methods Transfer outcomes, including implantation, miscarriage, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, were assessed in fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. Adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated adjusting for age, BMI, stimulation protocol, number of embryos transferred, embryo quality, endometrial stripe thickness and day of transfer. Poisson regression was used for counts and with an offset for ratios. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for patients contributing multiple cycles. Main results and the role of chance For fresh embryo transfer cycles, live birth rates are similar among patients with tubal factor infertility, PCOS and HH (29.5% vs. 37.9% vs. 35.9%, respectively, aRR 1.15 95% CI: 0.91–1.44 and aRR 1.23 95% CI: 0.81–2.00, respectively). When evaluating frozen embryo transfer cycles, patients with HH have lower live birth rates than patients with tubal factor infertility (26.5% vs. 42.6%, aRR 0.54 95% CI: 0.33–0.88) and patients with PCOS (26.5% vs. 46.7%, aRR 0.55 95% CI: 0.34–0.88). Additionally, patients with HH have higher chemical pregnancy rates and miscarriage rates than patients with tubal factor infertility (26.5% vs. 13.0% and 17.7% vs. 6.5%, respectively, RR 2.71 95% CI: 1.27–5.77 and RR 2.03 95% CI: 1.05–3.80, respectively). Point biserial correlation showed no significant correlation between live birth and endometrial stripe thickness in HH patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer (r = 0.028, p-value 0.876). Limitations, reasons for caution This study is limited by its retrospective nature and the small sample size of women with hypothalamic hypogonadism. Additionally, these data represent outcomes from a single academic center, so generalizability of our findings may be limited. Wider implications of the findings: Lower live birth rates for HH patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer cycles are not correlated with endometrial stripe thickness. This may be due to absent gonadotropin signaling on endometrial receptors. A prospective randomized trial of HH patients to modified natural versus programmed frozen embryo transfer would best support this hypothesis. Trial registration number Not applicable


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Petanovsk. Kostova

Abstract Study question Study aim is to compare implantation,clinical pregnancy and livebirth rates between giving1500IU of hCG4hours after GnRHagonist,on trigger day or GnRHagonist as alone trigger with luteal support withHCG1500IU.35h later on OPUday. Summary answer Adjuvant doze of1500IUhCG4h after bolus of GnRHagonist on trigger day significantly improve quality of blastocyst,implantation,clinical pregnancy and live birth rates without increasing the risk ofOHSS. What is known already The use of GnRHagonist for final oocyte maturation in antagonist cycle significantly decrease the incidence of OHSS,but there have been studies showing lower pregnancy rates in patients triggered with GnRHagonist compared with hCG in autologous cycles,attributed to a defective luteal phase, especially in high–risk patients despite intensive luteal phase support.To improve the results of IVF,an alternative approach is adding a small bolus dose of hCG(1500IU)35h later,on the OPU day after GnRHagonist trigger which provides more sustained support for the corpus luteum.The question is does low doses of hCGgiven on the same day with GnRHagonist trigger is making better quality oocytes. Study design, size, duration Single center prospective longitudinal cohort study fromJanuary2017 to Decembar2019.The initial inclusion criteria were:women age≥18and≤39years,AMH≥3,3ng/ml and ≥12 antral follicles on basal ultrasound.Patients with history of OHSS and PCO are also included in the study.Patients with applied “freeze-all” technique with peak estradiol≥4000pg/ml on trigger day>18oocytes on the OPU day,and recognized significant risk for developing OHSS were also included.The cumulative implantation,clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were analyzed,only in embryos from the same COS protocol in every patient. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 231 patients were entered for final analysis,who underwent a flexible antagonist protocol,ICSI and fresh or thawed ET on 3th(38.53%) or 5th( 61.47%)day in women’s autologous cycles.Patients were randomized in one of two groups: GroupA-Dual trigger group 1500IUof hCG 4h after GnRH agonist application on trigger day and GroupB –1500IU of HCG 35h later,on the OPU day.We used nonparametric and parametric statistical tests.Significant differences were considered all values ​​of p < 0.05 Main results and the role of chance Both groups are homogenous regarding several variables:age,BMI,type of sterility,smoking status,AMH,PCO, spermogram.There is no significant difference between the two(AvsB)groups according to average number of retrieved oocytes(13.6 vs 14.6 p > 0,05),M II oocytes(11.03 vs 11.99 p > 0.05).The dual trigger group(A)had a higher fertility rate(69.99% vs 64.11% p < 0,05)compared with GnRHagonist trigger group(B).There are no significant difference between groups(AvsB)according to cumulative average number of:transferred embryos(2.4vs2.5 p > 0.05)TQE transfered on 3th day(1.5.vs 1.3.p>0.05);transferred blastocyst(2.6 vs2.7 >0.05);cryo embryos(2.5vs1.9 p > 0.05),but there are significant difference according to cumulative implantation rate of transferred blastocyst in favor of group A(48.18% vs 33.89%p<0.05).Analyzes of morphological characteristics of transferred blastocyst depicted in the order of degree of blastocyst expansion,inner cellular mass(ICM)and trofoectoderm(TE) and ranking overall blastocysts quality from“excellent”,“good”,“average” and “pore” ,shows that there are significantly more percentage of patient with embryo transfer of “excellent” or even one “excellent” blastocyst in group A (30.56%,31.94% vs 21.54%,23.08% p < 0.05) in opposite of percentage of patients with embryo transfer with “poore “” blastocyst in group B (37.5% vs 46.15.%p<0.05). Clinical pregnanacy rate (71.68% vs 50.84% p < 0.05) , and live birth rate (60,18% vs 42,58% ), were significantly higher in group A. There were no cases of moderate or severe OHSS in both groups. Limitations, reasons for caution Dual trigger in GnRH antagonist protocols should be advocated as a safe approach but undetected high risk patients are reasons for caution for developing clinically significant OHSS. Wider implications of the findings: Adjuvant low dose of hCG on GnRHagonist trigger day improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates without increasing the risk of clinically significant OHSS.Protocol of dual trigger and freezing all oocytes or embryos in patients with high risk of developing OHSS is promising technique in everyday practice. Trial registration number 8698


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Vereeck ◽  
A Sugihara ◽  
D D Neubourg

Abstract Study question The purpose of this systematic review is to calculate dropout-rates of IVF/ICSI treatment by analysing the published cumulative live birth rates of IVF/ICSI treatment. Summary answer One out of three patients stop their treatment after their first IVF/ICSI cycle and dropout-rates tend to increase per consecutive cycle. What is known already Cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) have created the possibility to present realistic probabilities of having a live birth after IVF/ICSI treatment. However, it is noted that a significant percentage of the patients stop their treatment before having a child (“dropout”). Possible reasons and predicting factors for dropout of treatment are already extensively investigated. However, only a few studies try to report about the incidence of dropout. Publications on CLBRs of large numbers of patients allow the extraction of dropout-rates. These rates will provide insight in the extent of the problem and could be used as a reference for interventional studies. Study design, size, duration Four databases (PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, DoKS) were systematically searched from 1992 to December 2020. Search terms referred to “cumulative live birth” AND “ART/IVF/ICSI”. No restrictions were made on the type or language of publication. Studies were included if they reported absolute numbers of patients and live births per consecutive complete IVF/ICSI cycle or per consecutive embryo transfer cycle, starting from the first IVF/ICSI cycle for each patient. Participants/materials, setting, methods Dropout-rates per cycle were calculated in two manners: “intrinsic dropout-rate” with all patients that started the particular IVF/ICSI cycle in the denominator, and “potential dropout-rate” with all patients who did not achieve a live birth after IVF/ICSI (and potentially could have started a consecutive cycle) in the denominator. Dropout-rates were analysed for consecutive complete cycles and consecutive embryo transfer cycles, because these two manners are used in reporting CLBRs, often related to the reimbursement policy. Main results and the role of chance This review included 29 studies and almost 800,000 patients from different countries and registries. Regarding the patients who started their first IVF/ICSI cycle, trying to conceive their first child by IVF/ICSI, intrinsic dropout-rate was 33% (weighted average) after the first complete cycle, meaning they did not return for their second oocyte retrieval cycle. After the first embryo transfer cycle, intrinsic dropout-rate was 27% (weighted average), meaning those patients did not return for their next frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle or for the next oocyte retrieval cycle. Regarding the patients who did not achieve a live birth after the first complete cycle, potential dropout-rate was 48% (weighted average), and 37% (weighted average) after the first embryo transfer cycle. Both potential and intrinsic dropout-rates for both consecutive complete and embryo transfer cycles tended to increase with cycle number. One study on second IVF/ICSI conceived children showed a potential dropout-rate after the first complete cycle of 29%. From studies on women >40 years of age, the potential dropout-rate after the first complete cycle was 45% (weighted average) and from studies with the uses of testicular sperm extraction, the potential dropout-rate after the first complete cycle was 34% (weighted average). Limitations, reasons for caution Our analysis was hampered by the different ways of reporting on CLBRs (complete cycles versus embryo transfer cycles), informative censoring, patients changing clinics and spontaneous pregnancies. Dropout-rates were potentially overestimated given that spontaneous pregnancies were not taken into account. Wider implications of the findings: The extent of dropout in IVF/ICSI treatment is substantial and has an important impact on its effectiveness. Therefore, it is a challenge for fertility centers to try to keep patients longer on board, by taking into account the patients’ preferences and managing their expectations. Trial registration number PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42020223512


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sokol ◽  
E Clu. Obradó ◽  
M Sol Inarejos ◽  
M Parrieg. Beltrán ◽  
F Martíne. Sa. Andrés ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Are embryo quality and day of vitrification (Day 5, 6 or 7) associated with live birth rates (LBR) following single blastocyst transfer (SBT) in frozen embryo transfer cycle (FET)? Summary answer Both blastocyst quality and day of vitrification are significantly associated with LBRs, with very low LBR when poor quality embryos are frozen on day 6. What is known already Evidence suggests that chromosomal status (ploidy) is strongly associated with blastocyst morphology and good quality embryos are more likely to be euploid. Furthermore, previous studies have shown a relationship between the time that embryos need to reach blastocyst stage and their euploidy rate with slowly developing blastocysts showing higher rate of aneuploidy. Nonetheless, despite all this evidence little is known about the actual effect of the combination of blastocyst quality and day of its vitrification. The scope of this study was to quantify the actual effect of the embryo quality and day of vitrification on live birth rates following FET. Study design, size, duration Retrospective analysis of 1546 FET cycles with SBT conducted between 2017 and 2019 in the university-affiliated private clinic. The embryos used for FET were obtained from IVF/ICSI: with PGT (FET-PGT) or without PGT (FET0) or from donated oocytes (FET-DON). Participants/materials, setting, methods FET with natural, natural-modified and completely medicated cycles to prepare endometrial lining were included. Blastocysts were classified according to Spanish Association for the Study of Reproductive Biology (ASEBIR) classification, ranging from A (the highest) to D (the lowest). The impact on LBR of different subgroups, formed within FET-PGT, FET0, FET-DON groups due to different day of vitrification and blastocyst quality, was assessed, using logistic regression after adjusting for age, day of vitrification and embryo quality. Main results and the role of chance We included 1546 FET cycles. Of those, 543 (35%) corresponded to FET-PGT; 648 (42%) to FET0 and 355 (23%) to FET-DON cycles. Overall, 1051 (68%) embryos were frozen on day 5(D5), 472 (30.5%) on day 6(D6) and 23 (1.5%) on day 7(D7). As far as embryo quality was concerned, 215 (13.9%) grade A; 957 (61.9%) B; 371(24%) C and 3(0.2%) D blastocysts were transferred. LBRs were significantly different between different embryos frozen on D5 44.3%; on D6 28.8% and on D7 8.7%, p < 0.001. When blastocyst quality was considered, LBR were 48.4% for grade A; 42.5% for B; 25.1% for C and 0% for D, p < 0.001. After applying logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for transferring D6-blastocyst was 1.08, 95% CI[0.45; 2.62] and blastocyst with grade B and C; 0.71, 95% CI[0.51; 1.00]; 0.57,95% CI[0.36; 0.88] respectively. However, after transferring D6-blastocyst graded as C, the OR was 0.33, 95% CI[0.12; 0.90]. Our predictive model showed that the impact of the embryo quality on LBR was sustained across three groups. Transfer of D5/D6 grade A blastocyst resulted in the highest, while D6-C in the lowest LBR in all the groups. In the latter case vitrification on D6 impaired additionally the outcome. Limitations, reasons for caution The study should be interpreted with caution due to its retrospective character and the assessment of blastocyst quality on the day of vitrification and not on the day its transfer. Wider implications of the findings: Our robust findings could be considered a useful tool for counselling couples who seek advice regarding their expected success rates in the setting of FET with SBT. The very low livebirth rates in low quality (C) slow developing (D6) embryos should be communicated to patients prior to planning a FET. Trial registration number Not applicable


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