Prognostic factors for patients undergoing vitrified-warmed human embryo transfer cycles: a retrospective cohort study

Hum Fertil (Camb). 2017 Jun;20(2):140-146. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2016.1255786. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Abstract

We examined the prognostic factors for pregnancy in 210 vitrified-warmed embryo transfer (ET) cycles in 121 patients. The univariate analysis showed that age, gravida, the number of cycles associated with infertility caused by endometriosis, the number of previous assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles, and the number of ICSI procedures were significantly lower in pregnant cycles compared with non-pregnant cycles. The percentages of ET using at least one intact embryo and of ET using at least one embryo that had developed further after warming were significantly higher in pregnant cycles compared with non-pregnant cycles. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous ART treatment cycles, ET with at least one intact embryo, and ET using at least one embryo that had developed further were independent prognostic factors for pregnancy in vitrified-warmed ET cycles. We conclude that fewer previous ART treatment cycles, ET using at least one intact embryo, and ET with embryos that have developed further after warming might be favourable prognostic factors for pregnancy in vitrified-warmed ET cycles.

Keywords: Assisted reproductive technology; cryopreservation; embryo transfer; prognostic factors; slow freezing; vitrification.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cryopreservation
  • Embryo Culture Techniques
  • Embryo Implantation
  • Embryo Transfer / methods*
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Endometriosis / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility / etiology
  • Infertility / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vitrification
  • Young Adult