"Does serum estrogen level have an impact on outcomes in hormonal replacement frozen-warmed embryo transfer cycles?"

AIM: To evaluate the impact of serum estradiol (E2) levels on cycle outcomes in hormone replacement frozen embryo transfer (HR- FET) cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 509 HR-FET cycles performed from September 2018 to September 2019. Patients were divided into 6 groups based on their E2 values measured a day before progesterone initiation . Group 1: <100 pg/mL, group 2: 100-200 pg/mL, group 3: 200 - 300 pg/mL, group 4: 300-400 pg/mL, group 5: 400-500 pg/mL, group 6: >500 pg/mL. Implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate (MR), multiple pregnancy rate (MPR) and ectopic pregnancy rates were compared between all groups. RESULTS: IR and CPR were similar between a wide range of E2 values, but when E2 values were more than 500 pg/mL there was a non significant fall in the IR (47.3% vs 48.3% vs 48.6% vs 47.8% vs 48.7% vs 39.6% p = .77) and CPR (63.6% vs 65.1% vs 65.6% vs 65.3% vs 65.6% vs 53.1% p = .692). MR was significantly high when E2 was less than 100 pg/mL (28.5%) and when E2 was more than 500 pg/mL (41.1%) (p = .02). MPR and ectopic pregnancy rates were similar between all the groups. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of FET cycles were similar between a wide range of E2 values (100-500 pg/mL). When E2 levels were less than 100 pg/mL or more than 500 pg/mL there was significant increase in the MR but the numbers in these groups are less and further studies are required to confirm these facts.

A prospective study of oral estrogen versus transdermal estrogen (gel) for hormone replacement frozen embryo transfer cycles.

AIM: This study was done to compare the efficacy of transdermal estrogen (gel) to oral estradiol in hormone replacement frozen embryo transfer cycles (HR- FET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted between March 2019 and December 2019. We included 294 HR FET cycles: 156 cycles using oral estrogen tablets (oral group) and 138 cycles using transdermal gel (17 beta estradiol 0.06% w/w) (gel group). Primary objective of this study was to compare endometrial thickness (ET) on the day of progesterone start between the two groups. Our secondary objective was to compare implantation rates (IR), clinical pregnancy rates (CPR), miscarriage rates (MR), duration of estrogen administration, estradiol (E2) levels before the start of progesterone, cycle cancellation rates, patient satisfaction score and undesirable side effects between both the groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the ET, IR, CPR, MR and duration of E2 administration and cycle cancellation rates between both the groups. Patient satisfaction score was significantly higher (8.02 ± 1.07 vs 6.96 ± 0.99 p < .01) and side effects were significantly lower (18.1% vs 55.1%, p≤.01), in the gel group compared to the oral group. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that transdermal estrogen (gel) is equally efficacious as oral estrogen in HR FET cycles with transdermal gel having an added benefit of better patient comfort with less side effects and better safety profile.

Mifepristone Followed by Misoprostol or Ethacridine Lactate and Oxytocin for Second Trimester Abortion: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two medical methods for second-trimester abortion, mifepristone followed by misoprostol versus mifepristone followed by ethacridine lactate and oxytocin for success rate, induction to abortion time and acceptability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized trial conducted from July 2014 to May 2016 and enrolled 120 women undergoing second trimester abortion (13-20 weeks). All patients received 200mg mifepristone orally and were randomized to receive further treatment after 36 hrs. Patients in Group M (n=60) received 400 microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 3 hours (maximum - 5 doses) and Group E (n=60) had extra-amniotic ethacridine lactate instillation followed by oxytocin infusion (max-100miu). RESULTS: Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable in both the groups. Success rate was 100% in group M and 98.3% in group E (p=0.31). Mean induction to abortion time was significantly shorter in group M than group E (8.2+2.3hours & 10.9+2.6 hours respectively; p=0.001). Majority of women reported side effects, 96.7% women in group M and 75% women in group E (p=0.001). Fall in hemoglobin after procedure was significantly higher in group M (0.70+0.33gram %) than group E (0.52+0.23 gram %) (p=0.001). Perception of intensity of pain was significantly more in group M but patient satisfaction in both groups was similar. CONCLUSION: Both methods are comparable for success rate, induction interval was more for ethacridine lactate compared to misoprostol.