Embryo Transfer Strategies for Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure During the Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles:Sequential Embryo Transfer or Double-blastocyst Transfer?

Objective Both sequential embryo transfer(SeET)and double-blastocyst transfer(DBT)can serve as embryo transfer strategies for women with recurrent implantation failure(RIF).This study aims to compare the effects of SeET and DBT on pregnancy outcomes.Methods Totally,261 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of 243 RIF women were included in this multicenter retrospective analysis.According to different embryo quality and transfer strategies,they were divided into four groups:group A,good-quality SeET(GQ-SeET,n=38 cycles);group B,poor-quality or mixed-quality SeET(PQ/MQ-SeET,n=31 cycles);group C,good-quality DBT(GQ-DBT,n=121 cycles);and group D,poor-quality or mixed-quality DBT(PQ/MQ-DBT,n=71 cycles).The main outcome,clinical pregnancy rate,was compared,and the generalized estimating equation(GEE)model was used to correct potential confounders that might impact pregnancy outcomes.Results GQ-DBT achieved a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate(aOR 2.588,95%CI 1.267–5.284,P=0.009)and live birth rate(aOR 3.082,95%CI 1.482–6.412,P=0.003)than PQ/MQ-DBT.Similarly,the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in GQ-SeET than in PQ/MQ-SeET(aOR 4.047,95%CI 1.218–13.450,P=0.023).The pregnancy outcomes of GQ-SeET were not significantly different from those of GQ-DBT,and the same results were found between PQ/MQ-SeET and PQ/MQ-DBT.Conclusion SeET relative to DBT did not seem to improve pregnancy outcomes for RIF patients if the embryo quality was comparable between the two groups.Better clinical pregnancy outcomes could be obtained by transferring good-quality embryos,no matter whether in SeET or DBT.Embryo quality plays a more important role in pregnancy outcomes for RIF patients.

Artificial Cycle with or without a Depot Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist for Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer： An Assessment of Infertility Type that Is Most Suitable

The clinical outcomes of five groups of infertility patients receiving frozen- thawed, cleavage-stage embryo transfers with exogenous hormone protocols with or without a depot gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） agonist were assessed. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 1003 cycles undergoing frozen-thawed, cleavage-stage embryo transfers from January 1, 2012 to June 31, 2015 in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Wuhan General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region. Based on the infertility etiologies of the patients, the 1003 cycles were divided into five groups： tubal infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）, endometriosis, male infertility, and unexplained infertility. The main outcome was the live birth rate. Two groups were set up based on the intervention： group A was given a GnRH agonist with exogenous estrogen and progesterone, and group B （control group） was given exogenous estrogen and progesterone only. The results showed that the baseline serum hormone levels and basic characteristics of the patients were not significantly different between groups A and B. The live birth rates in groups A and B were 41.67% and 29.29%, respectively （P〈0.05）. The live birth rates in patients with PCOS in groups A and B were 56.25% and 30.61%, respectively （P〈0.05）. The clinical pregnancy, implantation and on-going pregnancy rates showed the same trends as the live birth rates between groups A and B. The ectopic pregnancy rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B. We concluded that the live birth rate was higher and other clinical outcomes were more satisfactory with GnRH agonist co- treatment than without GnRH agonist co-treatment for frozen-thawed embryo transfer. The GnRH agonist combined with exogenous estrogen and progesterone worked for all types of infertility tested, especially for women with PCOS.

Serum β-hCG level on day 7 of frozen-thawed embryo transfer: association with the clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial cycles

Objective:The relationship between serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)levels of patients(7 days after the transplantation of frozen-thawed embryos)and the pregnancy outcomes was investigated.Methods:This study was designed as a retrospective clinical trial of 366 women who underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfers(FETs)in artificial cycles.Patients were divided into three groups:clinical pregnancy group,biochemical pregnancy group,and non-pregnant group according to their pregnancy outcomes.Serumβ-hCG levels were tested on day 4,7,9,11 and 14 after FET.Results:In the clinical pregnancy group,the serumβ-hCG levels after 7-day post-transplantation were significantly elevated(16.20 IU/L vs.3.07 vs.0.1 IU/L;P<0.05)compared with the other two groups.Furthermore,it was found that Area Under Curve(AUC=0.96)was significant with cut-off value higher than 4.26 IU/L(sensitivity=92.3%,specificity=90.2%)to predict the clinical pregnancy outcomes in the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis ofβ-hCG concentrations on day 7 of post-transplantation.Conclusion:Our results suggested that the elevated serumβ-hCG levels on day 7 of post-transplantation could predict the positive clinical pregnancy outcomes in artificial FET cycles.

Pregnancy Outcomes for Day 5 Versus Day 6 Single Frozen-thawed Blastocyst Transfer with Different Qualities of Embryos: A Large Matched-cohort Study

Objective This study aimed to determine whether the day of blastocyst expansion affects pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer(FBT)cycles.Methods A retrospective match-cohort study was conducted.Patients who underwent blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles at day 5 or 6 were matched for potential confounding factors.A total of 2207 matched pairs of FBT cycles were included from January 2016 to December 2019 in our Reproductive Medicine Center.Results The clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)and live birth rate(LBR)were significantly increased in day 5 blastocyst transfers when compared to day 6 blastocyst transfers,in terms of the same embryo quality.For FBT cycles with good-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 61.30%and 57.56%,respectively(P=0.045),and the LBR was 44.79%and 36.16%,respectively(P<0.001).For FBT cycles with poor-quality embryo,the CPR at day 5 and 6 was 48.61%and 40.89%,respectively(P=0.006),and the LBR was 31.71%and 25.74%,respectively(P=0.019).The CPR for FBT cycles with good-quality embryo was statistically higher at day 6 than that at day 5 with poor-quality embryo transferred(57.56%vs.48.61%,P=0.001).Maternal age,anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),endometrial thickness,embryo quality,and the day of blastocyst expansion were independently correlated with the CPR and LBR.The FBT cycles at day 5 had significantly higher CPR(adjusted odds ratio[OR]=1.246,95%confidence intervals[CI]:1.097–1.415,P=0.001)and LBR(adjusted OR=1.435,95%CI:1.258–1.637,P<0.001)than those at day 6.Conclusion The embryo quality is the primary indicator for FBT cycles.Day 5 blastocysts should be preferred when the quality of embryo at day 5 is the same as that at day 6.

Live births from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer following the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist without gonadotropins:Two case reports

BACKGROUND The prevalence of female infertility between the ages of 25 and 44 is 3.5%to 16.7%in developed countries and 6.9%to 9.3%in developing countries.This means that infertility affects one in six couples and is recognized by the World Health Organization as the fifth most serious global disability.The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology reported that the global total of babies born as a result of assisted reproductive technology procedures and other advanced fertility treatments is more than 8 million.Advancements in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation procedures led to crucial accomplishments in human fertility treatments.The European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology guideline on ovarian stimulation gave us valuable evidence-based recommendations to optimize ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology.Conventional ovarian stimulation protocols for in vitro fertilization(IVF)–embryo transfer are based upon the administration of gonadotropins combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)analogues,either GnRH agonists(GnRHa)or antagonists.The development of ovarian cysts requires the combination of GnRHa and gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.However,in rare cases patients may develop an ovarian hyper response after administration of GnRHa alone.CASE SUMMARY Here,two case studies were conducted.In the first case,a 33-year-old female diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome presented for her first IVF cycle at our reproductive center.Fourteen days after triptorelin acetate was administrated(day 18 of her menstrual cycle),bilateral ovaries presented polycystic manifestations.The patient was given 5000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin.Twenty-two oocytes were obtained,and eight embryos formed.Two blastospheres were transferred in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle,and the patient was impregnated.In the second case,a 37-year-old woman presented to the reproductive center for her first donor IVF cycle.Fourteen days after GnRHa administration,the transvaginal ultrasound revealed six follicles measuring 17-26 mm in the bilateral ovaries.The patient was given 10000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin.Three oocytes were obtained,and three embryos formed.Two high-grade embryos were transferred in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle,and the patient was impregnated.CONCLUSION These two special cases provide valuable knowledge through our experience.We hypothesize that oocyte retrieval can be an alternative to cycle cancellation in these conditions.Considering the high progesterone level in most cases of this situation,we advocate freezing embryos after oocyte retrieval rather than fresh embryo transfer.

Perinatal outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer following blastocyst-stage embryo transfer compared to those of cleavage-stage embryo transfer:analysis of 9408 singleton newborns using propensity score analysis

Objective:Regarding frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET),there is limited consensus on whether extending embryo culture from the cleavage stage to the blastocyst stage affects perinatal outcomes.This study aimed to compare perinatal outcomes of singletons between blastocyst-stage embryo transfer(BT)and cleavage-stage embryo transfer(CT)in FET.Methods:A total of 9408 FET cycles that met the inclusion criteria were included in this retrospective cohort study between 2019 and 2022.Blastocyst-stage embryo transfers were performed in the BT group,and cleavage-stage embryo transfers were performed in the CT group.Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed,as well as propensity score matching(PSM)to adjust for confounders.Results:After PSM,a higher risk of pre-term birth(PTB;odds ratio[OR]:1.23,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.00-1.50,P=0.048)and being large for gestational age(LGA;OR:1.16,95%CI:1.00-1.35,P=0.050)was observed in the BT group compared to that in the CT group.After stratified PSM,in the subgroup under 35 years of age,only an increased risk of LGA was observed in the BT group compared to the CT group.Perinatal outcomes in the double-embryo transfer subgroup were similar to those in the unstratified group.However,in the subgroup beyond 35 years of age and the single embryo transfer subgroup,perinatal outcomes were not statistically different between the BT and CT groups(P>0.05).Conclusions:In FET,prolonged embryo culture to the blastocyst stage increased the risk of PTB and LGA in single fetuses.However,stratified analysis based on age and the number of transferred embryos yielded different results,necessitating further mechanistic studies.

Pregnancy outcomes of four different cycle protocols for frozen embryo transfer: a large retrospective cohort study

Objective:To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of the four endometrial preparation protocols for people undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET),including natural cycle(NC),hormone replacement therapy cycle(HRT),gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist artificial cycle(GAC),and ovarian stimulation cycle(OC).Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled 10,333 cycles of frozen embryo transfer performed at Xinan Gynecological Hospital in Sichuan,China,from January 2018 to December 2018.The patient's baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were extracted from the medical record system.Pregnancy outcomes were compared among the four groups and multiple logistic regression models were used to adjust for the confounding factors.Results:After adjusting for covariates,multiple logistic regression analysis showed no statistical significance in pregnancy outcomes in the HRT group,GAC group,and OC group compared to the NC group in the entire population.The adjusted odds ratio of live birth was 0.976(95%)confidence interval[Cl](0.837-1.138)for the HRT group,0.959(95%confidence interval 0.797-1.152)for the GAC group,and 0.909(95%confidence interval 0.763-1.083)for the OC group.Conclusions:The natural protocol had comparable pregnancy outcomes compared to the other three endometrial preparation protocols in the overall FET population.More high-quality prospective randomized controlled trials are required to assess the efficacy of the four protocols and explore the optimal one.

卵巢功能减退患者多周期累积与非累积胚胎移植临床结局比较

目的探讨卵巢功能减退(DOR)患者多周期累积与非累积胚胎移植体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)临床结局的差异。方法回顾性分析2019-01至2022-12于首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院生殖医学科进行IVF-ET治疗的卵巢储备功能减退的不孕患者174例的临床资料,纳入患者均已完成所有胚胎移植及最终随访。收集患者的基础内分泌、抗苗勒管激素水平及窦卵泡计数,记录促排卵治疗后的卵巢反应参数及妊娠结局等相关临床资料,比较多周期累积胚胎移植(累积组)与非累积胚胎移植(非累积组)两种IVF-ET治疗的临床结局。结果DOR患者多周期累积胚胎移植与非累积胚胎移植两组间的累积妊娠率(35.24%vs.27.54%)、早期流产率(32.43%vs.26.32%)及累积活产率(21.90%vs.18.84%)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);纳入移植策略、BMI、首次取卵年龄、AMH、胚胎移植数、优质胚胎移植数、累积获卵数等多个因素后进行logistic回归分析,两种不同的胚胎移植策略(OR=1.522,95%CI 0.608~3.814)对活产无明显影响(P>0.05)。结论对于DOR患者,进行多周期重复取卵后的累积胚胎移植并不能提高患者的累积妊娠率及活产率。

经皮雌二醇凝胶在血栓前状态患者冻融胚胎移植中的应用

目的探讨经皮雌二醇凝胶在血栓前状态患者激素替代周期(HRT)冻融胚胎移植(FET)中的应用价值。方法选取2021年2月至2023年2月在郑州大学第二附属医院生殖医院行HRT-FET助孕的血栓前状态患者68例为研究对象,其中采用经皮雌二醇凝胶进行内膜准备者为研究组(n=32),采用口服芬吗通进行内膜准备者为对照组(n=36),两组均在胚胎移植后给予低分子肝素治疗。比较两组HRT情况和FET妊娠结局,并比较同组胚胎移植前、移植后14 d以及组间移植后14 d的纤维蛋白原(FIB)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、活化部分凝血酶原时间(APTT)、凝血酶时间(TT)及D-二聚体(D-D)水平。结果研究组孕酮转化日子宫内膜厚度及A型子宫内膜比例显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组患者间移植胚胎数、移植优胚率、HCG阳性率比较均无显著差异(P>0.05),研究组临床妊娠率显著高于对照组(65.63%vs.41.67%,P<0.05),研究组早期流产率较对照组有所减低(9.38%vs.16.67%)但无显著差异(P>0.05)。两组患者胚胎移植后14 d的FIB及D-D水平均显著低于移植前(P<0.01),且胚胎移植后14 d研究组D-D及FIB水平显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论在血栓前状态患者HRT-FET周期中,与口服芬吗通比较,采用经皮给药的方式更能降低血栓前状态风险,提高子宫内膜容受性,改善助孕结局。因此针对这类患者,建议选择经皮雌激素进行内膜准备,并辅以肝素对症处理。

GnRH激动剂在人工周期冻融胚胎移植黄体支持中作用的荟萃分析

目的:评价GnRH激动剂(GnRH-a)在人工周期冻融胚胎移植(AC-FET)黄体期支持(LPS)中的作用。方法:纳入PubMed、EMBASE和Cochrane数据库中符合纳入标准的研究。检索期限为建库至2023年10月31日。观察指标为种植率、HCG阳性率、临床妊娠率、持续妊娠率、活产率、流产率、宫外妊娠率、多胎妊娠率。采用RevMan5.4软件分析。结果:纳入9项随机对照试验(RCT),共2451例患者,其中GnRH-a LPS组1252例,常规LPS组1199例。黄体期给予GnRH-a可提高种植率(OR=1.29,95%CI为1.12~1.49,P=0.0005)、临床妊娠率(OR=1.32,95%CI为1.12~1.57,P=0.001)和多胎妊娠率(OR=1.82,95%CI为1.29~2.58,P=0.0007),同时降低流产率(OR=0.57,95%CI为0.41~0.79,P=0.0008)。两组的HCG阳性率、持续妊娠率、活产率、宫外妊娠率比较,差异均无统计学意义。结论:AC-FET黄体期添加GnRH-a可提高患者的种植率和临床妊娠率,提示GnRH-a可能是AC-FET黄体支持的新选择。然而,需开展多中心、大样本的RCT,以获得GnRH-a有效黄体支持的统一标准,进一步明确其LPS的安全性和有效性。

外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3及凝血功能预测人工周期-冻融胚胎移植结局的价值

目的:探讨外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3及凝血功能预测人工周期-冻融胚胎移植结局的价值。方法:选取2021年1月—2023年12月于赣州市人民医院行人工周期-冻融胚胎移植的患者108例,其中妊娠成功48例,妊娠失败60例。观察比较妊娠成功和失败患者外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3、D-二聚体(D-D)、活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)和凝血酶原时间(PT)的差异,并分析外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3及凝血功能指标预测人工周期-冻融胚胎移植结局的价值。结果:妊娠成功患者外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3 mRNA、D-D均高于妊娠失败患者,APTT和PT均明显长于妊娠失败患者(P<0.05)。miR-21-5p、Foxp3 mRNA、D-D和PT是妊娠失败的影响因素(P<0.05)。miR-21-5p、Foxp3 mRNA、D-D和PT预测妊娠失败的受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线下面积分别为0.857、0.790、0.922和0.861。结论:人工周期-冻融胚胎移植成功和失败患者外周血miR-21-5p、Foxp3及D-D和PT有所差异,且在预测妊娠结局方面有一定应用价值。

诱导排卵失败对冻融胚胎移植妊娠结局的影响

目的探讨在稀发排卵或无排卵女性群体中,诱导排卵(OI)失败转人工周期(AC)治疗对冻融胚胎移植(FET)妊娠结局的影响,并分析影响OI成败的危险因素。方法回顾性分析2018年1月至2022年3月于西北妇女儿童医院行首次FET治疗的478例患者的临床资料,根据促排卵治疗结果分为OI成功组(277例)和OI失败组(201例),比较两组的临床妊娠率和活产率,Logistic回归分析影响OI成败的危险因素。结果两组患者的临床妊娠率(62.45%vs.59.70%)和活产率(53.43%vs.51.74%)均无显著差异(P>0.05);OI失败组的基础LH水平显著高于OI成功组(P=0.03)。调整变量后,发现基础LH水平是影响OI成败的独立影响因素[OR=1.079,95%CI(1.020,1.141),P=0.008]。结论稀发排卵或无排卵女性FET移植前OI成败与妊娠结局无关。基础LH水平是OI成败的影响因素。

电针周期疗法对卵巢储备功能下降不孕患者子宫内膜容受性及体外受精-胚胎移植的影响

目的探讨电针周期疗法对卵巢储备功能下降(DOR)不孕患者子宫内膜容受性及体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)结局的影响。方法将2021年4月—2022年4月在柳州市妇幼保健院拟行IVF-ET的78例DOR不孕患者随机分为对照组和试验组,每组39例。2组均行IVF-ET,试验组在移植前行3个月的电针序贯周期治疗。比较2组治疗前后黄体中期的子宫内膜厚度、子宫内膜容积、子宫内膜分型和血流分型及子宫动脉血流参数[双侧子宫动脉搏动指数(PI)、阻力指数(RI)、收缩期峰值/舒张期峰值(S/D)],统计比较2组患者治疗后获卵数、受精数、胚胎数、优质胚胎数及HCG阳性率、胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率。结果与治疗前及对照组比较,试验组患者电针周期干预后子宫内膜厚度、子宫内膜容积均明显增高,内膜C型患者占比降低,内膜A型患者占比增高,血流Ⅰ型患者占比降低,血流Ⅲ型患者占比增高,子宫动脉PI、RI、S/D均明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05);对照组以上指标均未见明显变化(P均>0.05)。试验组获卵数、受精数、胚胎数、优质胚胎数均明显多于对照组(P均<0.05),HCG阳性率、胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率均明显高于对照组[67.56%(25/37)、58.33%(28/48)、51.35%(20/37)比44.74%(17/38)、37.03%(20/54)、31.58%(12/38),P均<0.05]。结论电针周期治疗可以明显改善DOR不孕患者子宫内膜容受性,提高胚胎着床率和临床妊娠率。

A frozen-thawed embryo transfer program improves the embryo utilization rate

Background Frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET） is the most common way to prevent serious late ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and increase the cumulative pregnancy rate. We evaluated the effectiveness of an FET program for improving the embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates, and ultimate embryo utilization rate in infertility treatment. Methods Patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation （IVF） cycles from January 2006 to June 2008 were enrolled, including 179 patients who had undergone the first FET cycle after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation （COH） in which all embryos were frozen （group C1） and 1306 patients who had COH with fresh embryo transfer （ET） （group T1）. Logistic regression was used to model the embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates based on the mother＇s age, numbers of oocytes retrieved, embryos transferred and high-quality embryos transferred. The embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were also compared between two groups after adjusting for age, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and the numbers of embryos transferred. Results Logistic regression analysis confirmed that embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in group C1 were both significantly higher than those in group T1 after adjusting for confounding factors （43.6% vs 29.0%, 63.1% vs 47.0%, respectively; P 〈0.01）. The embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were consistently higher in group C1 by comparing the age groups ≥35 or 〈35 years. The clinical pregnancy rates for the numbers of oocytes retrieved per cycle being ≥15 or 〈15 were higher in group C1, as was the embryo implantation rate. These differences were statistically significant for oocyte numbers 〉15 （P 〈0.05）. The embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in group C1 were both significantly higher than in group T1 when two or three embryos were transferred （P 〈0.05）. Conclusion A program of freezing all embryos and performing FET improved the rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy, and ultimately enhanced the embryo utilization rate.

Different endometrial preparation protocols yield similar pregnancy outcomes for frozen-thawed embryo transfer in patients with advanced endometriosis

Objective To explore the different endometrial preparation for frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET） in women with advanced endometriosis （EMS）. Methods The pregnancy outcomes of patients with advanced EMS （542 cycles）, who were prepared for FET, were retrospectively assessed. Included patients underwent a total of 233 FET cycles （180 patients） using natural cycle （NC）, a total of 142 FET cycles （115 patients） using letrozole （LE） ovulation induction, and a total of 167 FET cycles （137 patients） using hormonal replacement treatment （HRT） for endometrial preparation.Results There were no significant diffenences in the clinical pregnancy rate （LE： 49.30%, NC： 50.21%, and HRT： 43.11~/o, P=0.343）, the implantation rate （LE： 29.26%, NC： 36.03%, and HRT： 29.55%, P=0.084）, and the live birth rate （LE： 38.02%, NC： 39.11%, and HR T.＂ 35.33 %, P=O. 648） among the three groups. No statistically signifi- cant differences were observed in the ongoing pregnancy rate, the miscarriage rate, and the pregnancy complication rate. The single birth weight in patients using NC- FET was lower than that in patients using HRT-FET （P=0.044） and a higher twin birth weight in patients using LE-FET were observed compared with other groups （P=O. 022）. The rate of birth weight 〈2 500 g was also higher in the NC-FET group than in other groups. No congenital birth defects were found in the three groups. Conclusion Different endometrial preparation protocols without ultra-long GnRH-a down-regulation for FET yield similar pregnancy outcomes in patients with EMS. A tailored endometrial preparation protocol should be recommended according to different patients＇ situation.

Clomiphene Citrate as An Adjuvant to hMG Stimulation of the Ovaries in Mid-to-late Follicular Phase and Subsequently Pregnancy Outcome of Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfers

Objective To compare the results of a novel regimen of human menopausal gonadotrophin （hMG） in combination with clomiphene citrate （CC） in mid-to-late follicular phase with those of a short protocol of GnRH agonist （GnRHa） and hMG used for IVF. Methods In the retrospective study, 842 patients undergoing IVF were collected and classified into two groups： hMG in combination with CC in mid-to-late follicular phase （group A, n=319） and short protocol of GnRHa-hMG （group B, n=523）. The main outcome measures were ovarian responses in stimulation cycles and pregnancy outcomes in subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET） cycles. Results In group A, the serum LH concentration on day 8 -10 was similar with that on the day of hCG administration （2.43 ± 1.92 IU vs 2.51 ±2.05 IU）. The number of mature follicles and oocytes retrieved was significantly lower in group A than in group B while the fertilization rate and the cleavage rate were comparable. The clinical pregnancy rate （47. 79% vs 48.04%）, the implantation rate （32.49% vs 33.11%） and the cumulative pregnancy rate （58.09% vs 60.22%） were respectively similar in group A and group B. Conclusion hMG in combination with CC in mid-to-late follicular phase results in the same pregnancy outcome as short protocol. The novel protocol may take the advantage of eliminating the occurrehce of a premature endogenous LH Surge.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Herbs Combined with Low Dose Human Menopausal Gonadotropin Applied in Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer

Objective： To assess embryo implantation rate （IR） and pregnancy rate （PR） in women who received Bushen Wengong Decoction （补肾温宫汤, BSWGD）, a Chinese herbal formula, combined with low dose of human menopausal gonadotropin （hMG） prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET）. Methods： A total of 262 subjects （674 transferred embryos） who received FET were analyzed retrospectively. In them, 122 women were under 30 years old, 106 between 30-35 years and 32 over 35 years. The 85 subjects with normal ovulation were assigned to Group A, the natural menstruation cycling group, on whom no pre-transfer treatment was applied. The other 177 subjects with abnormal ovulation were assigned to Group B, and subdivided, according to the pre-transfer treatment they received, into three groups, Group B1 （50 cases） received BSWGD, Group B2 （58 cases） received hMG and Group B3 （69 cases） received both BSWGD and low dose hMG. The IR and PR of FET in the four groups were compared time on PR of FET were compared also. Besides, the influencing factors and the effect of the embryo cryoto FET were analyzed. Results： IR and PR were significantly higher in all age sects of Group B3 than those in Group A, showing significant difference （ P〈0.05）. IR and PR in subjects in age sects of 〈30 years and 〉 35 years in group B3 were significantly higher than those in Group B1 （ P〈0.05）, but no significant difference was shown in the two parameters between Group B 2 and Group B3 （P〉0.05）. PR in the subjects who received embryos with cryo-time of 〉 200 days was significantly lower than that in those with cryo-time of ~ 100 days （P〈0.05）. Embryo cryo-time, endometrial thickness, use of BSWGD and use of hMG were of significance in FET （ P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： A programmed cycle of BSWGD combined with low dose of hMG could improve the embryo IR and PR of FET. Embryo cryo-time, endometrial thickness, and the use of BSWGD and hMG are of significance for FET.

THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL CLINICAL PREGNANCY AFTER FROZEN-THAWED EMBRYOS TRANSFER IN China's Mainland

In the afternoon of July 8,1994,at the In Vitro Fertilization Center of the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University,

Reducing the Trigger Dose of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Does Not Affect Final Oocyte Maturation and Subsequently Pregnancy Outcome of Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer

To compare the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotrophin （hCG） at reduced doses of 2 000 IU and 3 000 IU for moderate or high responders with the dose of 5 000 IU in term of inducing final oocyte maturation for IVF/ICSI and the subsequent pregnancy outcome in frozen-thawed embryo transfer （FET）. Methods In the retrospective cohort study, 2 166patients undergoing IVF/ICSI with moderate or high response were recruited and classified into three groups according to the trigger dose of hCG： 2 000 IU （group A, n=722）, 3 000 IU （group B, n=722） and 5 000 IU （group C, n= 722）. The main outcome was the proportion of mature oocytes retrieved, fertilization rates, clinical pregnancy rates, cumulative pregnancy rates and incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome （OHSS）. Results No evidence of statistically difference was found in the proportion of mature oocytes retrieved （89.92%, 91.40%, 90.20%, respectively） and fertilization rate （79.8%, 80.07%, 80.51%, respectively） among groups A, B and C. Serum E2 level on the day of hCG injection, the number of mature oocytes retrieved and good-quality embryos in group A were significantly higher than those in group B and group C. Clinical pregnancy rates per transfer cycle （45.95%, 43.97% and 44.25%）, ongoing pregnancy rates （43.17%, 40.91% and 42,53%）, implantation rates （30, 74%, 2Z 78% and 29.86%） and cumulative pregnancy rates per patient （58.31%, 53.6% and 54.85%）A reduced hCG dose of 2 000 IUfor moderate or high responders leads

促排卵周期冻胚移植黄体支持中添加人绒毛膜促性腺激素对妊娠结局的影响

目的 探究促排卵内膜准备周期冻融胚胚移植(FET)黄体支持中添加人绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)对临床妊娠结局的影响。方法 回顾性分析2017年1月至2021年3月于绍兴市妇幼保健院生殖中心行促排卵方案准备内膜FET共491个周期的临床资料。根据FET后黄体支持是否添加HCG分为两组:常规组339个周期和HCG组152个周期。将两组患者的临床和实验室数据及FET临床妊娠结局进行统计分析。结果 HCG组着床率显著高于常规组(P<0.05),而新生儿出生体重显著低于常规组(P<0.05),两组临床妊娠率、活产率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析显示,年龄是影响临床妊娠结局的主要因素(P<0.001),黄体支持中是否添加HCG对临床妊娠率及活产率无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论 行促排卵方案内膜准备FET周期时,在常规黄体支持方案基础上添加HCG,对临床妊娠率及活产率无显著影响。