Relationship of cytopathology and cervical infection to outcome of in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a relationship exists between in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcome and cervical infection or presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). METHOD: Cervical scrapes, digital colposcopies, and cervical biopsies were performed in 1044 Chinese women undergoing IVF for tubal infertility or, in their partners, abnormal semen. The pregnant (n=415) and nonpregnant (n=629) groups differed neither in clinical signs of cervical inflammation nor in rate of HPV detection. RESULTS: There were no associations between IVF-ET outcome and infection rate, degree of cytopathologic abnormality, detection of HPV, or results of digital colposcopy and cervical biopsy. Cytologic results did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters of IVF-ET. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between IVF-ET outcome and cervical infection, cytopathologic result, HPV detection, or result from the colposcopy or biopsy. Extensive testing and treatment for cervical infection do not appear necessary in IVF-ET candidates.