Perinatal outcome in fresh versus frozen embryo transfer in ART cycles

Background: Despite of higher pregnancy rate after frozen embryo transfer [FET] which is accepted by the majority of researches, the safety of this method and its effect on neonatal outcome is still under debate

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy and neonatal outcome of FET compare to fresh cycles

Materials and Methods: In this study,1134 patients using fresh ET and 285 women underwent FET were investigated regarding live birth as primary outcome and gestational age, birth weight, gender, multiple status, ectopic pregnancy, still birth and pregnancy loss as secondary outcomes

Results: Our results showed that there is no difference between FET and fresh cycles regarding live birth [65.6% vs. 70.4% respectively]. Ectopic pregnancy, still birth and abortion were similar in both groups. The mean gestational age was significantly lower among singletons in FET group compared to fresh cycles [p=0.047]. Prematurity was significantly elevated among singleton infants in FET group [19.6%] in comparison to neonates born after fresh ET [12.8%] [p=0.037]

Conclusion: It seems that there is no major difference regarding perinatal outcome between fresh and frozen embryo transfer. Although, live birth is slightly increased in fresh cycles and prematurity was significantly increased among singleton infants in FET group

Diagnostic value of saline contrast sonohysterography comparing with hysteroscopy for detecting endometrial abnormalities in women with abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common presentation of uterine abnormalities among premenopausal and postmenopausal women. To evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of saline contrast sonohysterography and hysteroscopy for detecting the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. A total of 65 women with abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in this study. A prior saline contrast sonohysetrography followed by a hysteroscopy was performed in all cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and test accuracy were calculated. As the most common abnormality, SCSH showed hyperplasia in 19 patients while hysteroscopy diagnosed polyp in 15 cases. A sensitivity of 73.3%, 71.4% and 90.9% were reported for polyp, hyperplasia and submucous myoma respectively whereas the specificity was calculated 96% for polyps, 82.3% for hyperplasia and 90.7% for submucous myoma. Comparing with hysteroscopy, sonohysterography showed a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting submucous myoma but not for endometrial polyp and endometrial hyperplasia

Age as a predictor of assisted reproductive techniques outcome

This study evaluated the effect of age on ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation and the success of IVF and ICSI cycles. In this retrospective analytic study, 280 women undergoing first IVF and ICSI cycles were collected. Patients were divided in three groups: <35 years old, 35- 39 years and e"40 years old. Stimulation protocol for all patients was Long standard protocol. There were significant decrease in the number of follicles, oocytes retrieved and embryos obtained with increasing age [p<0.05]. Fertilization rate did not differ significantly with increasing age [P>0.05]. Clinical pregnancy rate were 21.8% in patients < 35, 13.2% in patients 35-39 and 5.9% in e"40 [p= 0.157] and Live birth rate were 14.2% in patients <35,7.9% in 35-39 and 5.9% in e"40 years old. [p= 0.50]. Clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate diminished with increasing age

relationship between seasonal variability and pregnancy rates in women undergoing assisted reproductive technique

Backgrownd: Studies in regions with seasonal climatic variations have revealed a correlation between human natural conception and birth rates. Holidays and other cultural activities probably have influence on conception, but the ambient temperature and emotional influences on the female hormones related to fertility may play an important part in the seasonal variation in conception

Objectives: The aim of study was to determine the relationship between the success rate of Assisted Reproductive Technique [ART] treatment cycles and temperature in different seasons

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study on all individuals undergoing assisted ART at our institution was performed during June 2000 to June 2001. The study population represented 258 IVF-ET cycles and 821 ICSI treatment cycles. Different variables were analyzed using jj test

Results: In IVF treatment cycles, conception was more common from early spring [March to June]. This decreased from spring, with the minimum in fall, 22% and 14%, respectably. A significant seasonal variability in the number of eggs, embryo transferred and sperm motility was not demonstrated [p>0.05], but sperm count was significantly higher in spring than any other season [72 +/- 4 xl0[6] and 52 +/- 7xl0[6], respectively]

Conclusion: The seasonal changes should be taken into account together with other factors when evaluating infertility data