Recurrent heterotopic pregnancy after repeated in-vitro fertilization treatment

We report a rare clinical case of recurrent heterotopic pregnancy in the same patient following in-vitro fertilization treatments. A 27 year old woman, who suffered from infertility for the last 4 years due to male factor, was being treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection which resulted in two episodes of combined intrauterine and tubal pregnancy, in a 1 year period. The first ended in emergency salpingectomy by laparotomy and missed intrauterine abortion. The second was managed by laparoscopic salpingectomy and the synchronous pregnancy ended in the delivery of twins. The possibility of heterotopic pregnancy and recurrent heterotopic pregnancy, though rare, should be considered by every gynaecologist, especially those who use infertility treatment on patients.      

Predictive value of human chorionic gonadotrophin in the outcome of early pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and spontaneous conception

This prospective study analyses the value of the -subunit ofhuman chorionic gonadotrophin (-HCG) in 120 pregnancies obtainedafter in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer. Spontaneousconception cycles (n = 16) were also analysed allowing a comparisonbetween these two forms of conception. Of the 120 clinical pregnancies,48 started as single gestations and 50 started with two or moresacs. There were 14 clinical abortions and eight ectopic pregnancies.All subjects had blood samples taken under a fixed protocolon days 11, 14, 17, 20 and 23 after follicular aspiration. Weeklysamples were obtained thereafter until day 60 from ovum retrieval.Transvaginal ultrasounds were performed at weekly intervals,starting on day 23 after follicular aspiration. In spontaneousconception cycles blood samples were obtained daily, startingon the day of follicular rupture. In spontaneous conceptioncycles and in IVF– embryo transfer conceptions, the doublingtime (DT) of ;-HCG was 1.4 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4days respectively. This difference was not significant. In multigesta–tions,the DT was 1.5 ± 0.3 days. The absolute values of -HCGin early spontaneous gestations were significantly higher thanin IVF—embryo transfer cycles, suggesting that the blastocystimplants with less cellular mass when initiated in vitro ascompared with the in-vivo condition. The early prediction ofectopic pregnancy and spontaneous clinical abortion was analysedby the -HCG profile as well as the absolute values in comparisonto normal pregnancies. Both parameters showed significant differencesas early as the interval between days 11 and 23 from follicularaspiration. This study provides a comprehensive approach tothe evaluation of the outcome of early gestation in terms ofthe predictability of single and multigestation, ectopic pregnancyand early abortion.     

Comparison of pregnancy outcome after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in-vitro fertilization

The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy characteristics and perinatal outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies with pregnancies obtained after in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Retrospectively, 145 ICSI pregnancies were matched with 145 IVF pregnancies using the last menstruation data. The main outcome measures were preclinical and clinical abortions, ectopic pregnancies, multiple gestations, prenatal morbidity, prematurity, Caesarean section, birthweight, perinatal mortality and malformations for singletons, twins and triplets. Although patients were significantly younger (P < 0.001) in ICSI (31 years) than in IVF (33 years), their infertility duration (5 years) was similar. The mean number of transferred embryos (2.7 embryos per transfer) was similar in IVF and ICSI. The rates of preclinical (15%) and clinical abortions (11% in ICSI versus 15% in IVF) were not different. Four ectopic pregnancies were observed in the IVF group and none in the ICSI group. In ICSI, two minor malformations were detected and two therapeutic abortions were performed respectively for polymalformations and suspicion of cystic fibrosis. The rate of congenital malformation was 2.8% in ICSI and 2.2% in IVF. In this last group, one therapeutic abortion for malformation of neural tube was performed and two minor malformations were detected. The rate of aborted embryonic sacs before 16 weeks of gestation was not significantly lower in ICSI compared with IVF (13.7% versus 20%). The rate of multiple gestations was similar in both groups (31% in IVF and 35% in ICSI). The number of Caesarean sections was similar in IVF and in ICSI and was twice as frequent for twins versus singletons. The number of singletons born by Caesarean section was 21% after ICSI and 17% after IVF. Mean birthweights and gestational ages at birth for twins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in ICSI than in IVF (2488 versus 2281 g and 36.5 versus 35.5 weeks). This difference was not observed for singletons. In conclusion, pregnancy characteristics and perinatal outcome after ICSI showed no increase in the number of pathologies in comparison with IVF.      

Early pregnancy loss and obstetrical risk after in-vitro fertilization and embryo replacement

Between March 1983 and March 1986, 108 pregnancies were obtainedat the IVF clinic of St Pierre Hospital in Brussels. There were29 chemical pregnancies (26.8%), five ectopic pregnancies (4.6%),15 abortions (14%) and 59 ongoing pregnancies of over 20 weeks(54%). Patients who had experienced a chemical pregnancy atfirst trial displayed a significantly higher rate of ongoingpregnancy at their second attempt. Among the 15 cases of abortion,a chromosomal anomaly was detected in two cases and suspectedin a third. Four of the five ectopic pregnancies occurred inpatients with previously documented tubal pathology. The ongoingpregnancies were distributed as 44 singletons, 13 pairs of twins,one set of triplets and one set of quadruplets. The Caesariansection rates were 21 and 40% for single and multiple pregnancies,respectively. The prematurity rate was low for singletons (4.5%)but reached 46.6% in multiple pregnancies. Two minor malformationswere observed and five perinatal deaths occurred; among theselatter, four cases were twins. It appears that perinatal pathologyis substantially higher among IVF pregnancies than in the normalpopulation. It is clear, however, that most of this differenceis accounted for by the considerably higher rate of twin pregnancydisplayed by the former group.     

Embryo transfer under ultrasound guidance improves pregnancy rates after in-vitro fertilization

Between October 1998 and January 1999, we examined the influence of ultrasound guidance in embryo transfer on pregnancy rate in 362 patients from our in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer programme. These patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: 182 had ultrasound-guided embryo replacement, and 180 had clinical touch embryo transfer. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to age, cause of infertility and in the characteristics of the IVF cycle. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher among the ultrasound-guided embryo transfer group (50%) compared with the clinical touch group (33.7%) (P < 0.002). Furthermore, there was also a significant increase in the implantation rate: 25.3% in the ultrasound group compared with 18.1% in the clinical touch group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ultrasound assistance in embryo transfer significantly improved pregnancy and implantation rates in IVF.     

Human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations in early pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization.

There is increased risk of early pregnancy loss after assisted reproduction. In this study the use of serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) concentrations on day 12 after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer was evaluated to predict pregnancy outcome. A total of 417 IVF pregnancies were included. Early pregnancy loss was defined as biochemical pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies and first trimester abortions. Vital pregnancies were defined as delivered singletons, multiple pregnancies and second trimester abortions. On the post embryo transfer day 12, the mean HCG concentration of the vital pregnancy group was significantly higher than in early pregnancy loss outcomes (P < 0.00001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the cut-off value of HCG giving maximal sensitivity and specificity in order to discriminate early pregnancy losses from vital pregnancies. A patient with a HCG value higher than the calculated cut-off value (55 IU/l) had a 90% chance of having a vital pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer. It can be concluded that a discriminatory HCG value on day 12 after IVF and embryo transfer cycles may be useful in predicting pregnancy outcome and may guide clinicians in identifying those pregnancies at risk for adverse outcomes and instituting more intensive surveillance in this population.     

Multiple pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: report of a quadruplet pregnancy and delivery

The first baby from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was born in England in 1978 as a result of retrieval of a single preovulatory oocyte in the course of a natural cycle (Steptoe and Edwards, 1978). At present most programmes of IVF throughout the world do not use natural cycles producing only one oocyte, but rather multiple oocyte cycles produced by clomiphene citrate (CC), human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), or pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), either separately or in combination, sequentially or concomitantly, for the induction of multiple follicular maturation.     

Broad ligament twin pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization

We report the first case of an ectopic twin pregnancy in the broad ligament following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in a patient with a previous ipsilateral (left) salpingo-oophorectomy. The previous surgery was for endometriosis. We discuss the possible contribution of the embryo transfer technique, limitations of preventive measures and importance of transvaginal ultrasound in establishing the diagnosis.     

Pregnancy: The prediction of ectopic pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Data from 135 patients who suffered ectopic pregnancies andfrom 135 patients who progressed to singleton deliveries afterin-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer have been analysedretrospectively. The ectopic pregnancies represent all suchcases observed at Bourn Hall Clinic between 1983 and 1993. Thedelivered group was randomly selected from the same time period.The ectopic pregnancies included 20 heterotopic, eight ovarianand six bilateral tubal pregnancies; the remainder were singletontubal pregnancies. The aim of this study was to identify thevariables which differed systematically for the two groups ofpatients and to explore whether such variables could be usedto predict ectopic pregnancy at an early stage. The mean plasmaconcentration of human chorionic gonadotrophin and progesteronefor the ectopic pregnancy group was significantly lower thanthat for the singleton delivery group (P < 0.001). However,there was such a degree of overlap that it was impossible todevise a cut-off concentration for either hormone which wouldoffer a clinically useful predictor of ectopic pregnancy. Nevertheless,using the discriminant function analysis of these data, togetherwith the history of pelvic inflammatory disease, we could predictup to 90% of cases of ectopic pregnancy by day 23 after embryotransfer, long before ultrasound imaging would be useful.     

A more realistic approach to the cumulative pregnancy rate after in-vitro fertilization

As most studies overestimate the cumulative pregnancy rate,a method is proposed to estimate a more realistic cumulativepregnancy rate by taking into account the reasons for an earlycessation of treatment with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Threemethods for calculating cumulative pregnancy rates were compared.The first method assumed that those who stopped treatment hadno chance at all of pregnancy. The second method, the one usedmost often, assumed the same probability of pregnancy for thosewho stopped as for those who continued. The third method assumedthat only those who stopped treatment, because of a medicalindication, had no chance at all of pregnancy and that the otherswho stopped had the same probability of pregnancy as those whocontinued treatment Data were used from 616 women treated atthe University Hospital Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.The cumulative pregnancy rates after five initiated IVF cyclesfor the three calculation methods were in the ranges 37–51%for the positive pregnancy test result, 33–55% for a clinicalpregnancy and 30–56% for an ongoing pregnancy. As expected,the first method underestimated the cumulative pregnancy rateand the second overestimated it The third method produced themost realistic cumulative pregnancy rates.     

Early pregnancy wastage following late implantation of embryos after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Serial plasma concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), progesterone and oestradiol were measured in pregnancies after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The first detection day of HCG after embryo transfer (8.4 +/- 1.1) and the HCG doubling time (DT) of 64 normal singleton pregnancies were compared to those of 14 first-trimester miscarriages. The same parameters were evaluated in nine late-implanted conceptions, seven of which resulted in early pregnancy wastage. The HCG DT of late-implanted pregnancies was consistent with that of singleton term pregnancies in the first 12 days, while first-trimester miscarriages which had implanted at the usual time had a significantly longer DT from implantation onwards. The reduced trophoblastic secretory rate suggests poor embryo quality in these cases. A decreased progesterone/oestradiol ratio was observed in late-implanted pregnancies but because of the small number of individuals, no definite conclusion can be drawn. More patients with delayed implantation should be tested to justify this observation.     

Treatment of hyperstimulation during in-vitro fertilization

In 33 patients treated with a combination of an LHRH agonist (LHRH-A) and gonadotrophin in a long protocol, a biological hyperstimulation occurred (E2 greater than 2500 pg/ml on the day of HCG administration and 4722 +/- 1190 pg/ml the day after, with greater than 10 follicles greater than 12 mm on each ovary). The replacement of fresh embryos were deferred and LHRH-A was continued, and an endometrial biopsy was performed on the theoretical day of replacement (2 days after oocyte recovery). With this technique, we obtained a mean number of 17.9 +/- 7 oocytes, a fertilization rate of 49% and a replacement rate of 87% in a deferred cycles. The overall pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed embryos was 27% in the seven spontaneous cycles, 12 induced cycles and 10 artificial cycles. Only one severe hyperstimulation occurred and this case emphasizes that caution remains necessary even with this technique.     

Premature chromosome condensation after in-vitro fertilization

During an in-vitro fertilization programme, 320 inseminatedoocytes neither formation of pronucle nor cell cleavage werestudied Cytogentically. Fourteen of 17 oocytes exhibiting noextruction of polar were characterized by an approximately diploidset of metaphase II chromosomes with four of these oocytes alsoshowing an additional set of prematurely condensed sperm chromosomesof the G₁ phase (G₁ -PCC). These chromosomes were single chomatids.Among 211 occytes characterized by polar body extrusion, thesame type of chromosomes were found in 22, along with metaphaseII chromosomes in the haploid range. This phenomenon can beexplained by the permanent arrest of the oocytes at metaphaseII after sperm penetration, which allows the presence of thepermanent arrest of the oocytes at metaphase II after spermpenetration, which allows the presence of cytoplasmic chromosomecondensing factors to remain, leading to the induction of PCCin the sperm. In these cases, PCC resulted either from distinctpronuclear asnchtrony or interchromosomal asynchrony withinthe chromosome set.     

Follicular development and early luteal function of conception and non-conceptional cycles after human in-vitro fertilization: endocrine correlates

Two-hundred patients, half of whom had on-going pregnancies,were examined in terms of follicular growth, urinary oestrogenand LH output, oocytes recovered and embryos replaced. The twogroups were identical in all parameters measured except thaturinary LH output was significantly higher (P>0.01) in non-pregnantpatients on the two days prior to HCG administration. Duringthe early to mid-luteal phase, plasma progesterone concentrationswere related to the number of follicles aspirated at oocyterecovery, but the overall pattern of secretion was similar inboth groups. It is concluded that monitoring urinary LH output,a non-invasive technique, may be of great value for assessingoocyte quality and predicting the outcome of in-vitro fertilizationand embryo replacement.     

体外受精-胚胎移植妇女的焦虑、抑郁情绪

目的:了解体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)妇女的焦虑、抑郁情绪及相关因素。方法:2009年4月-2010年3月,在湖南省妇幼保健院生殖中心选取来自全国各地符合本研究筛选标准的妇女连续入组,共入组IVF-ET妇女538例,采取现场询问的方式,在胚胎移植术后2小时内进行问卷调查,内容包括社会人口学特征、生育情况、治疗情况、社会心理因素及情绪症状的评定。结果:焦虑评分(39.6±3.1)分,焦虑症状检出率38.5%;抑郁评分(35.8±4.5)分,抑郁症状检出率12.3%。居住在城市(OR=1.66)、不孕年限长(OR=1.34)、夫妻交流少(OR=2.25)、积极应对评分低(OR=4.30)、生理健康(OR=3.24)评分低、心理健康(OR=5.36)评分低的IVF-ET妇女焦虑倾向危险比高;既往治疗费用多(OR=3.02),取卵个数少(OR=2.24)及性生活(OR=1.13)、积极应对(OR=6.08)评分低,应激性生活事件评分高(OR=1.83)的IVF-ET妇女抑郁倾向危险比高。结论:体外受精-胚胎移植妇女存在不同程度的焦虑、抑郁情绪,社会心理变量是其主要相关因素。     

Uterine rupture in first or second trimester of pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

We report five cases of early rupture of cornual pregnancy withhistory of previous salpingectomy and cornual resection followingin-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. We discussthe predisposing factors, diagnostic and therapeutic modalitiesin these patients. A high index of suspicion is required foran early diagnosis. It is imperative that the physicians whocare for the patients be fully aware of the possibility of sucha complication in a high risk population; therefore, appropriatecounselling and close follow-up might help to avoid such obstetricalcatastrophes, by termination of pregnancy, either surgicallyor medically.     

Anxiety and perceptive functioning of infertile women during in-vitro fertilization: exploratory survey of an Italian sample

The aim of this study was to study the emotional impact of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and any possible influence due to the type of diagnosis, duration of infertility, number of cycles and type of responses to treatment. The study was carried out on 200 patients admitted to hospital for the final stages of IVF (oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer). The psychological measures taken into consideration were: state and trait anxiety levels (Stait-Trait Anxiety), unconscious and symptomatic anxiety, perception of self and of others (EWI). Monitoring of anxiety levels during hospitalization highlighted significant differences with respect to the state anxiety values (P < 0.01) and general anxiety (P < 0.05), but not with respect to trait anxiety. The level of state anxiety of women with a diagnosis of infertility was significantly lower (P < 0. 05). Women who have experienced infertility of medium to long duration presented a significantly lower state anxiety value (P < 0. 01). The failure of oocyte fertilization determines a significant increase in state anxiety level (P < 0.01) There were no significant differences in anxiety values with respect to the cycle number. Perceptive functioning was normal.     

Endometrial thickness as a predictor of pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization but not after intracytoplasmic sperm injection

An ultrasonographic evaluation of the endometrium was performedin 158 patients undergoing ovarian stimulation for an in-vitroassisted reproduction programme. Endometrial thickness was evaluatedin 109 patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) forfemale indications and in 49 patients undergoing intracytoplasmicsperm injection (ICSI) for male indications. The maximal endometrialthickness was measured on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin(HCG) administration by longitudinal scanning of the uteruson the frozen image using electronic callipers placed at thejunction of the endometrium-myometrium interface at the levelof the fundus. Cases in which the endometrial thickness was10 mm were included in group A; cases in which the endometrialthickness was <10 mm were assigned to group B. The age ofthe patients, serum 17- oestradiol concentrations on the dayof HCG administration, the length of follicular stimulation,the number of follicles, 17- oestradiol concentrations per follicleon the day of HCG and the number of embryos transferred wereanalysed in each case. When comparing endometrial thicknessand results in IVF and ICSI patients, an endometrium <10mm predominated in IVF patients (27.5%) compared with thoseundergoing ICSI (16.7%) (P=0.05); conversely an endometrium10 mm was more frequent in ICSI than in IVF patients. The incidenceof pregnancy was higher in IVF group A patients (32/79; 41%)than in IVF group B patients (5/30; 17%) (P=0.03), whereas nosignificant difference was found between ICSI group A (13/42;31%) and ICSI group B (3/7; 43%) patients. Thus, a higher percentageof IVF patients had thin endometrium when compared with ICSIpatients; thin endometrium was a prognostic indicator of pregnancyonly in the case of a female indication for infertility (IVF).A thin endometrium in cases of female infertility may reflecta previous or present uterine pathology, whereas in indicationsof male infertility (i.e. cases using ICSI), in the absenceof any associated uterine pathology, the presence of a thinendometrium is not predictive.