Objective: To compare the IVF-ET reproductive performance of unexplained habitual aborters with nonaborting women with similar characteristics also treated with IVF-ET.
Design: Controlled clinical study.
Setting: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Patient(s): Twenty patients with habitual abortions and secondary infertility were subjected to 42 IVF-ET cycles. Their reproductive performance in IVF-ET was compared with the performance of the next followed nonaborting patients, pulled from a database, based on similar age and IVF indications.
Intervention(s): Ovulation induction with IM Depo-triptorelin 3.75 mg and menotropins. Oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer, and luteal supplementation with hCG.
Main outcome measure(s): Mean number of oocytes and fertilizations, mean number of embryos and their morphology. Pregnancy rates (PRs) and pregnancy outcome.
Result(s): The mean number of oocytes, fertilizations, and embryos was higher in the aborters compared with the controls. Morphology of the transferred embryos was similar in both groups though in general better quality embryos developed in the aborters group. Pregnancy rates were similar in both groups (32% and 29% per cycle). Pregnancy outcome of the habitual aborting patients in IVF-ET remained unsuccessful, as before treatment: 50% abortions (7/14) compared with only an 8% abortion rate (1/12) in the controls.
Conclusion(s): Habitual aborters' performance at early stages of IVF-ET is better compared with their controls. Despite similar PRs in IVF-ET cycles, their pregnancy outcome after IVF-ET is unsuccessful, as before IVF-ET.