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Zhaffal M, Al Jafari R, Salame A. Multiple Gestation after Elective Single-Embryo Transfer: A State-of-the-Art Review of Literature and Suggested Mechanisms. J Pregnancy 2024; 2024:2686128. [PMID: 38264435 PMCID: PMC10805544 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2686128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Elective single-embryo transfers are being increasingly used to curb the increase in multiple gestation rates. However, it has been documented that single-embryo transfers could still result in twins and on rarer occasions in triplet pregnancies. Main Body. A literature review was done to highlight the possible mechanisms leading to embryonic splitting. In this review, the incidence of zygotic splitting was addressed and the notion of chorionicity was explained. Risk factors for zygotic splitting and suggested mechanisms for both twin and higher order pregnancies were suggested and discussed. Conclusion The hypotheses that we have so far remain unproven due to the rarity of zygotic splitting as well as the ethicolegal considerations of human embryo research. The presence of such incidents necessitates extensive counselling of the couple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokhamad Zhaffal
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, UAE University, Al Ain, UAE
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Dirican EK, Olgan S. On the origin of zygosity and chorionicity in twinning: evidence from human in vitro fertilization. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2809-2816. [PMID: 34398401 PMCID: PMC8608953 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02294-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproduction is presumed to increase monozygotic twin rates, with the possible contribution of laboratory and medical interventions. Monozygotic dichorionic gestations are supposed to originate from the splitting of an embryo during the first four days of development, before blastocyst formation. Single embryo transfers could result in dichorionic pregnancies, currently explained by embryo splitting as described in the worldwide used medical textbooks, or concomitant conception. However, such splitting has never been observed in human in vitro fertilization, and downregulated frozen cycles could also produce multiple gestations. Several models of the possible origins of dichorionicity have been suggested. However, some possible underlying mechanisms observed from assisted reproduction seem to have been overlooked. In this review, we aimed to document the current knowledge, criticize the accepted dogma, and propose new insights into the origin of zygosity and chorionicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enver Kerem Dirican
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07100 Turkey
| | - Safak Olgan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Akdeniz University, Antalya, 07100 Turkey
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Yamashita S, Ikemoto Y, Ochiai A, Yamada S, Kato K, Ohno M, Segawa T, Nakaoka Y, Toya M, Kawachiya S, Sato Y, Takahashi T, Takeuchi S, Nomiyama M, Tabata C, Fujiwara T, Okamoto S, Kawamura T, Kawagoe J, Yamada M, Sato Y, Marumo G, Sugiyama R, Kuroda K. Analysis of 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies after single embryo transfer in Japan. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 40:374-380. [PMID: 32033910 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the prevalence of triplet and quadruplet pregnancies after single embryo transfer (SET) in Japan. DESIGN A retrospective observational study was conducted on 274,605 pregnancies after 937,848 SET cycles in registered assisted reproductive technology (ART) data from the Japanese ART national registry database between 2007 and 2014. A questionnaire survey of ART centres was also conducted. Data on pregnancies with embryo division into three or more after SET were analysed. RESULTS According to the Japanese ART national registry database, SET resulted in 109 triplet pregnancies (0.04% of pregnancies), and the questionnaire reports from 31 centres revealed 33 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies. After exclusion of 20 duplicated cases, 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies included 46 monochorionic (one gestational sac [37.4%]), 18 dichorionic (two gestational sacs [14.6%]) and 59 trichorionic pregnancies (three gestational sacs [48.0%]). Compared with singleton pregnancies, patients with monozygotic triplet or quadruplet pregnancies were less frequently diagnosed with unexplained infertility (P = 0.004), more often received gonadotrophin injections for ovarian stimulation in 39 cases with information available (P = 0.021) and underwent more blastocyst transfers and assisted hatching (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). The proportion of live birth, defined as at least one baby born, excluding induced abortion, was 64.6% (73/116 pregnancies) of monozygotic triplet or quadruplet pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Combined Japanese ART national registry and survey data revealed 122 triplet and one quadruplet pregnancies, the majority after cryopreserved embryo transfer. Most were conceived after blastocyst transfer and often after assisted hatching, which are potential risk factors for zygotic splitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Yamashita
- Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oita 879-5593, Japan
| | - Yuko Ikemoto
- Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Asako Ochiai
- Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | | | | | - Motoharu Ohno
- Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Saint Mother Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Institute for ART, Fukuoka 807-0825, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Toshifumi Takahashi
- Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima Medical Center for Children and Women, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Shigeto Takeuchi
- ART Reproductive Medical Center, Saiseikai Matsusaka General Hospital, Mie 515-8557, Japan
| | - Mari Nomiyama
- Takagi Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuoka 831-0016, Japan
| | - Chisa Tabata
- Sanno Hospital, Center for Human Reproduction and Gynecologic Endoscopy, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Fujiwara
- Sanno Hospital, Center for Human Reproduction and Gynecologic Endoscopy, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan; Phoenix ART Clinic, Tokyo 151-0051, Japan
| | | | | | - Jun Kawagoe
- Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Yamada
- Keio University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuichi Sato
- Tatedebari Sato Hospital, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Gunma 370-0836, Japan
| | - Genzo Marumo
- Marumo Ladies Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 106-6004, Japan
| | - Rikikazu Sugiyama
- Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, Center for Reproductive Medicine and Implantation Research, Tokyo 116-0023, Japan
| | - Keiji Kuroda
- Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Sugiyama Clinic Shinjuku, Center for Reproductive Medicine and Implantation Research, Tokyo 116-0023, Japan.
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