[Against the obligation of single embryo transfer]

Should intrauterine inseminations still be proposed in cases of unexplained infertility? Retrospective study and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Unexplained infertility is defined by the absence of identifiable causes of infertility. The results of randomized studies and meta-analysis regarding the treatment of unexplained infertility are discordant due to methodological problems.

DESIGN

The aim of this study is to compare the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle (CPR/c) in IUI and IVF/ICSI in cases of unexplained infertility, according to the woman's age group and to identify the factors which predict success.

INTERVENTIONS

We performed a retrospective study in two ART centers, comparing overall clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates in IVF/ICSI and IUI. We also compared pregnancy and birth rates according to different female age groups.

RESULTS

855 IVF/ICSI and 804 IUI cycles were compared. We found a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the pregnancy and live birth rates per cycle between IUI and IVF/ICSI, overall and in the different female age groups, except in women aged 40 and over. The greatest chances of pregnancy with IUI are found in women with secondary unexplained infertility, during the first two cycles and with a bi-follicular response to stimulation. In IVF/ICSI, pregnancy rates are higher in women with secondary unexplained infertility, in the first two cycles, in IVF and in women receiving a transfer of two embryos regardless of the embryonic stage.

CONCLUSION

We recommend IVF/ICSI treatment rather than IUI for unexplained infertility (OR CPR/c 4.20 with 95% CI [3.72-4.68]). This is in accordance with NICE, which advises the use of IVF after 2 years.

[How present ART' results: questions' list to French ART professionals and application on Amiens' ART results]

OBJECTIVES

ART transparency of results and ways to submit are in centre of present biologists and clinical cares. This work aims at identifying ART results' presentation pertinent tests.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

At first time, we propose a questions' list to French ART professionals. Next, we apply results on Amiens' ART center 2006, 2007 and 2008 IVF parameters.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty questions' lists were analysed. Ninety percent of interrogated people were in favour of the results' center public communication. Most quoting criterions hold to define a reference population are (percentage of favourable opinions): IVF/ICSI treatment (96%), first of second rank's attempts (71%), women age less than 35 years old (68%), one or two top embryos quality transfer (60%). In 2007, 2008 and 2009, we made 1123 tentative IVF±ICSI in Amiens' ART center. Pregnancy rates were analysed for these years with criterions next quoting as most pertinent (women's age and rank's attempt), and in function of puncture retrieval oocytes number and indications.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Most of professionals are in favour of ART transparency of results. All would like that results presentation holds to special criterions to allow a fair comparison. Pregnancy predictive factors, which are women age, rank attempt, puncture retrieval oocytes number, seem to be main criterions for evaluation. These criterions pertinence has been shown thanks to Amiens ART center results.

[Professional Practice Evaluation: How to improve quality management in procreation centers?]

OBJECTIVES

The Professional Practice Evaluation (PPE) is at the heart of quality management in procreation centers. Hereby, we report 3 years of EPP in Cytogenetics and Reproduction laboratory in Amiens University Hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This PPE is based upon prospective analysis of in vitro fertilization techniques regarding two major parameters: clinically in improving embryo transfer and biologically by determining fecundation levels. Clinical pregnancies in "Top Quality" trial is chosen as a major indicator of our results.

RESULTS

Per transfer, there is an increase of 8% for clinical pregnancies and 31% in "Top quality" trials.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The improvement in our results allowed us to propose, in favourable conditions, single embryo transfer.

[Single embryo transfer: is Scandinavian model valuable in France?]

The aim of infertility treatment is clearly to obtain one healthy baby. If the transfer of a top quality single embryo could provide a baby to all the patients, there would be no more discussion. The problem is that, nowadays, French pregnancy rates after fresh embryo or frozen embryo transfer are not the same as in Nordic countries. All studies show that in unselected patients, single embryo transfer decreases twin pregnancy rate but decreases pregnancy rate too. Pregnancy rate is dependent on embryo quality, women's age, rank of IVF attempt (clear data) but also on body mass index, ovarian reserve, smoking habits. All these data cannot be taken into account in a law. That is the reason why a flexible policy of transfer adapted to each couple is preferable. Each couple and each IVF team are unique and must keep the freedom to choose how many embryos must be transferred to obtain healthy babies, and to avoid twin pregnancies but without demonizing them.