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Wang Q, Wan Q, Li T, Wang X, Hu Y, Zhong Z, Pu K, Ding Y, Tang X. Effect of GnRH agonist trigger with or without low-dose hCG on reproductive outcomes for PCOS women with freeze-all strategy: a propensity score matching study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:679-688. [PMID: 38032411 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger alone versus dual trigger comprising GnRHa and low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on reproductive outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who received the freeze-all strategy. METHODS A total of 615 cycles were included in this retrospective cohort study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control potential confounding factors between GnRHa-trigger group (0.2 mg GnRHa) and dual-trigger group (0.2 mg GnRHa plus 1000/2000 IU hCG) in a 1:1 ratio. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to estimate the association between trigger methods and reproductive outcomes. RESULTS After PSM, patients with dual trigger (n = 176) had more oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, and 2PN embryos compared to that with GnRHa trigger alone. However, the oocytes maturation rate, normal fertilization rate, and frozen embryos between the two groups were not statistically different. The incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (14.8% vs. 2.8%, P < 0.001) and moderate/severe OHSS (11.4% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in dual-trigger group than in GnRHa-alone group. Logistic regression analysis showed the adjusted odds ratio of dual trigger was 5.971 (95% confidence interval 2.201-16.198, P < 0.001) for OHSS. The pregnancy and single neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION For PCOS women with freeze-all strategy, GnRHa trigger alone decreased the risk of OHSS without damaging oocyte maturation and achieved satisfactory pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaofeng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Wanzhou, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuejiao Wang
- Department of Reproductive Center, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Women's and Children's Health, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuling Hu
- Department of Reproductive Center, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Women's and Children's Health, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaohui Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kexue Pu
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Clinical Big Data and Drug Evaluation, College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xiaojun Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Cimadomo D, Rienzi L, Conforti A, Forman E, Canosa S, Innocenti F, Poli M, Hynes J, Gemmell L, Vaiarelli A, Alviggi C, Ubaldi FM, Capalbo A. Opening the black box: why do euploid blastocysts fail to implant? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:570-633. [PMID: 37192834 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A normal chromosomal constitution defined through PGT-A assessing all chromosomes on trophectoderm (TE) biopsies represents the strongest predictor of embryo implantation. Yet, its positive predictive value is not higher than 50-60%. This gap of knowledge on the causes of euploid blastocysts' reproductive failure is known as 'the black box of implantation'. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Several embryonic, maternal, paternal, clinical, and IVF laboratory features were scrutinized for their putative association with reproductive success or implantation failure of euploid blastocysts. SEARCH METHODS A systematic bibliographical search was conducted without temporal limits up to August 2021. The keywords were '(blastocyst OR day5 embryo OR day6 embryo OR day7 embryo) AND (euploid OR chromosomally normal OR preimplantation genetic testing) AND (implantation OR implantation failure OR miscarriage OR abortion OR live birth OR biochemical pregnancy OR recurrent implantation failure)'. Overall, 1608 items were identified and screened. We included all prospective or retrospective clinical studies and randomized-controlled-trials (RCTs) that assessed any feature associated with live-birth rates (LBR) and/or miscarriage rates (MR) among non-mosaic euploid blastocyst transfer after TE biopsy and PGT-A. In total, 41 reviews and 372 papers were selected, clustered according to a common focus, and thoroughly reviewed. The PRISMA guideline was followed, the PICO model was adopted, and ROBINS-I and ROB 2.0 scoring were used to assess putative bias. Bias across studies regarding the LBR was also assessed using visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim and fill method. Categorical data were combined with a pooled-OR. The random-effect model was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was addressed using I2. Whenever not suitable for the meta-analysis, the included studies were simply described for their results. The study protocol was registered at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ (registration number CRD42021275329). OUTCOMES We included 372 original papers (335 retrospective studies, 30 prospective studies and 7 RCTs) and 41 reviews. However, most of the studies were retrospective, or characterized by small sample sizes, thus prone to bias, which reduces the quality of the evidence to low or very low. Reduced inner cell mass (7 studies, OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.27-0.52, I2 = 53%), or TE quality (9 studies, OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43-0.67, I2 = 70%), overall blastocyst quality worse than Gardner's BB-grade (8 studies, OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.67, I2 = 83%), developmental delay (18 studies, OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.49-0.63, I2 = 47%), and (by qualitative analysis) some morphodynamic abnormalities pinpointed through time-lapse microscopy (abnormal cleavage patterns, spontaneous blastocyst collapse, longer time of morula formation I, time of blastulation (tB), and duration of blastulation) were all associated with poorer reproductive outcomes. Slightly lower LBR, even in the context of PGT-A, was reported among women ≥38 years (7 studies, OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75-1.00, I2 = 31%), while obesity was associated with both lower LBR (2 studies, OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.79, I2 = 0%) and higher MR (2 studies, OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.08-2.99, I2 = 52%). The experience of previous repeated implantation failures (RIF) was also associated with lower LBR (3 studies, OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93, I2 = 0%). By qualitative analysis, among hormonal assessments, only abnormal progesterone levels prior to transfer were associated with LBR and MR after PGT-A. Among the clinical protocols used, vitrified-warmed embryo transfer was more effective than fresh transfer (2 studies, OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.33, I2 = 23%) after PGT-A. Lastly, multiple vitrification-warming cycles (2 studies, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.77, I2 = 50%) or (by qualitative analysis) a high number of cells biopsied may slightly reduce the LBR, while simultaneous zona-pellucida opening and TE biopsy allowed better results than the Day 3 hatching-based protocol (3 studies, OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.18-1.69, I2 = 0%). WIDER IMPLICATIONS Embryo selection aims at shortening the time-to-pregnancy, while minimizing the reproductive risks. Knowing which features are associated with the reproductive competence of euploid blastocysts is therefore critical to define, implement, and validate safer and more efficient clinical workflows. Future research should be directed towards: (i) systematic investigations of the mechanisms involved in reproductive aging beyond de novo chromosomal abnormalities, and how lifestyle and nutrition may accelerate or exacerbate their consequences; (ii) improved evaluation of the uterine and blastocyst-endometrial dialogue, both of which represent black boxes themselves; (iii) standardization/automation of embryo assessment and IVF protocols; (iv) additional invasive or preferably non-invasive tools for embryo selection. Only by filling these gaps we may finally crack the riddle behind 'the black box of implantation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Eric Forman
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Federica Innocenti
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Poli
- Centrum voor Kinderwens, Dijklander Hospital, Purmerend, The Netherlands
- Juno Genetics, Rome, Italy
| | - Jenna Hynes
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Gemmell
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alberto Vaiarelli
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Hallisey S, Makhijani R, Thorne J, Godiwala P, Nulsen J, Benadiva C, Grow D, Engmann L. The association of obesity with euploidy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:2521-2528. [PMID: 36214982 PMCID: PMC9723054 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02624-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on euploidy rates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) utilizing primarily next-generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS This retrospective cohort study included women aged ≤ 45 years who underwent IVF/PGT between September 2013 and September 2020 at a single university-affiliated fertility center. The primary outcome was euploidy rate. Secondary outcomes included peak serum estradiol (E2), number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturation rate, high-quality blastulation rate, clinical loss rate (CLR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rate (OPR/LBR). RESULTS The study included 1335 IVF cycles that were stratified according to BMI (normal, n = 648; overweight, n = 377; obese, n = 310). The obese group was significantly older with significantly lower baseline FSH, peak E2, high-quality blastulation rate, and number of embryos biopsied than the normal group. Overall euploidy rates were not significantly different between BMI groups (normal 36.4% ± 1.3; overweight 37.3% ± 1.8; obese 32.3% ± 1.8; p = 0.11), which persisted after controlling for covariates (p = 0.82) and after stratification of euploidy rate by age group and by number of oocytes retrieved per age group. There were no significant differences in CLR, CPR, and OPR/LBR across BMI groups. CONCLUSIONS Despite a lower high quality blastulation rate with obesity, there is not a significant difference in euploidy rates across BMI groups in women undergoing IVF/PGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hallisey
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Reeva Makhijani
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Jeffrey Thorne
- Reproductive Medicine Associates of Philadelphia, 1015 Chestnut Street, 8th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Prachi Godiwala
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - John Nulsen
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Claudio Benadiva
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Daniel Grow
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Lawrence Engmann
- Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Connecticut Health Center, 2 Batterson Park Rd, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
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Oocyte competence is independent of the ovulation trigger adopted: a large observational study in a setting that entails vitrified-warmed single euploid blastocyst transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1419-1427. [PMID: 33661465 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02124-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess whether the GnRH-agonist or urinary-hCG ovulation triggers affect oocyte competence in a setting entailing vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer. METHODS Observational study (April 2013-July 2018) including 2104 patients (1015 and 1089 in the GnRH-a and u-hCG group, respectively) collecting ≥1 cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) and undergoing ICSI with ejaculated sperm, blastocyst culture, trophectoderm biopsy, comprehensive-chromosome-testing, and vitrified-warmed transfers at a private clinic. The primary outcome measure was the euploid-blastocyst-rate per inseminated oocytes. The secondary outcome measure was the maturation-rate per COCs. Also, the live-birth-rate (LBR) per transfer and the cumulative-live-birth-delivery-rate (CLBdR) among completed cycles were investigated. All data were adjusted for confounders. RESULTS The generalized-linear-model adjusted for maternal age highlighted no difference in the mean euploid-blastocyst-rate per inseminated oocytes in either group. The LBR per transfer was similar: 44% (n=403/915) and 46% (n=280/608) in GnRH-a and hCG, respectively. On the other hand, a difference was reported regarding the CLBdR per oocyte retrieval among completed cycles, with 42% (n=374/898) and 25% (n=258/1034) in the GnRh-a and u-hCG groups, respectively. Nevertheless, this variance was due to a lower maternal age and higher number of inseminated oocytes in the GnRH-a group, and not imputable to the ovulation trigger itself (multivariate-OR=1.3, 95%CI: 0.9-1.6, adjusted p-value=0.1). CONCLUSION GnRH-a trigger is a valid alternative to u-hCG in freeze-all cycles, not only for patients at high risk for OHSS. Such strategy might increase the safety and flexibility of controlled-ovarian-stimulation with no impact on oocyte competence and IVF efficacy.
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