Clinical and laboratory parameters associated with cycle outcomes in patients undergoing euploid frozen blastocyst transfer.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Which factors impact on clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rates (LBR) in euploid frozen embryo transfer (eFET) cycles? DESIGN: Retrospective observational study including 1660 eFET cycles with 2439 euploid blastocysts, from November 2016 to December 2020. The impact of clinical and laboratory parameters on CPR, biochemical miscarriage rate (BMR), clinical miscarriage rate (CMR) and LBR was evaluated. RESULTS: CPR per transfer was 63.4%, LBR per transfer 51.6%. CPR and LBR were significantly higher when double embryo transfer (DET) was performed (71.6% versus 57.7%, P < 0.001; 55.2% versus 49.1%, P = 0.016, respectively). However, pregnancy loss was significantly higher in the DET group (28.8% versus 22.8%, P = 0.02). When patients were classified by body mass index (BMI), no differences were observed for CPR, but CMR was lower (P < 0.001) and LBR higher (p = 0.031) for the normal BMI group. The natural cycle protocol revealed lower CMR (P < 0.001) and lower pregnancy loss (P < 0.001); subsequently, higher LBR (57.6%, 48.8%, 45.0%, P = 0.001) compared with hormonal replacement protocol and stimulated cycle. Day of trophectoderm biopsy affected CPR (P < 0.001) and LBR (P < 0.001), yet no differences were observed for BMR, CMR or pregnancy loss. The multivariate analysis showed that day 6/7 embryos had lower probabilities for pregnancy; overweight and obesity had a negative impact on LBR, and natural cycle improved LBR (adjusted odds ratio 1.445, 95% confidence interval 0.519-0.806). CONCLUSIONS: Day of biopsy affected CPR, while BMI and endometrial preparation protocol were associated with LBR in eFET. DET should be discouraged as it will increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Women with higher BMI should be aware of the higher risk of pregnancy loss and lower LBR even though a euploid blastocyst is transferred.

Prospective observational comparison of arteria uterina blood flow between two frozen embryo transfer cycle regimens: natural cycle versus hormonal replacement cycle.

PURPOSE: Is there a difference in the blood flow of the Arteria uterina in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles between a Natural Cycle (NC) and a Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) cycle? METHODS: Prospective observational study with measurement of the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) throughout the ovarian stimulation cycle for IVF/ICSI, the FET cycle and at 12 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: A total of 124 ovarian stimulation cycles with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) and "freeze-all" strategy due to PGT-A were included. Mean patient's age was 31.4 years, mean BMI 26.47 kg/m2, mean AMH 3.62 ng/ml and a mean AFC of 13. FET cycles were performed in 77 patients (NC protocol: 37.7%, HRT protocol: 62.2%). The overall pregnancy rate was 75%, (NC group: 79%, HRT-group 73%; not significant). No significant change of PI and RI was seen during hormonal stimulation. In FET cycles, there was a significant increase between cycle day 2/3 and ovulation/P4-start in the HRT-cycle, followed by a significant decrease until 12 weeks of gestation. The slope of the decrease in patients with a pregnancy in an HRT-approach was a bit steeper than in the NC-approach for both PI and RI, however, without a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Early measurements of the blood flow parameters during the FET cycle do not reveal a difference between the NC- and the HRT-approach for FET, which could be predictive for development of pre-eclampsia.

Systematic review of the effectiveness and safety of assisted reproduction techniques in couples serodiscordant for human immunodeficiency virus where the man is positive.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serodiscordant couples. DESIGN: Systematic review of five databases of noncomparative open intervention and observational studies of serodiscordant couples undergoing ART, with study selection and data extraction performed independently and in duplicate. SETTING: Tertiary fertility centers. PATIENT(S): HIV serodiscordant couples where the man is HIV positive. INTERVENTION(S): Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) performed after washed semen viral testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates per cycle, cumulative pregnancy, abortion rate, and HIV seroconversion in newborns or women. RESULT(S): Of the 658 abstracts retrieved, 41 were selected for review, and 17 full articles were included (3,900 IUI cycles in 1,184 couples in 11 aggregated studies and 738 ICSI/IVF cycles in 579 couples across 10 studies). The IUI and ICSI results were, respectively: pregnancy rates per cycle, 18% and 38.1%; cumulative pregnancy, 50% and 52.9%; and abortion rate, 15.6% and 20.6%. No seroconversions in women or newborns were detectable at birth or after 3 to 6 months. CONCLUSION(S): Cumulative evidence suggests that ART is safe and effective for avoiding horizontal and vertical transmission in HIV serodiscordant couples.

A Abordagem do casal infértil / The infertile couple assessment

As escolhas que definem a pesquisa e o tratamento da infertilidade fazem parte de um desenvolvimento sistemático de procedimentos. Em breve revisão, procurou-se identificar as melhores opções disponíveis entre dados da Medicina Baseada em Evidências. A partir da definição da infertilidade, foram identificadas as situações causais que permitem o início da pesquisa, assim como justificam sua antecipação temporal. Buscaram-se considerações sobre a etiologia e o diagnóstico; a importância dos principais exames utilizados; a infertilidade sem causa aparente; o casal infértil e a reprodução assistida; e o direito dos casais de receber informações claras e objetivas sobre os procedimentos, participando das decisões de terapêuticas. De forma geral, embora se tenha ganhado exames e procedimentos, a indicação de alguns, outrora considerados clássicos e indispensáveis, hoje não encontra mais sustentação, enquanto outros, novos, ainda permanecem sem níveis de evidência definidos.

The infertile couple routine assessments include a wide range of exams. In this review we look for the best options following the criteria of Evidenced Based Medicine. We review the definition of infertility and the data from anamnesis and physical exam that can lead to the investigation. Situations in which exams are anticipated are discussed. The most common ethiology and diagnosis are reviewed, as well as the most significant tests. In addition, unexplained infertility, the infertile couple and the assisted reproductive techniques, the right of the couples to be informed and to participate of the therapeutical decisions about their fertility were discussed. Classical exams like the post coital test and the endometrium biopsy are almost useless, while many available new tests based on technology, remain without defined strength on evidence levels.