Factors associated with clinical outcome in an embryo recipient cycle at a public In-vitro fertilization centre

Abstract

Background: Several factors influence the outcome of embryo recipient cycles. Knowledge of these factors will help in patient care.
Objective: To determine factors associated with outcome in embryo recipient cycles.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all embryo recipient cycles from January 2015 to December 2017 in public tertiary hospital based assisted reproductive program. Primary outcome measure was clinical pregnancy. Comparative analysis of baseline demographic and clinical/treatment variables was made between cycles that resulted in clinical pregnancy and those that did not.
Results: Overall 155 embryo recipient cycles were reviewed and there were 52 clinical pregnancies [33.5%]. The mean age was 42.9± 4.3. The mean age, type and duration of infertility did not influence the cycle outcome. The mean endometrial thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups [9.2±1.5 vs 8.8±1.9], but pregnancy rate was higher with endometrial lining greater than ≥8mm (OR 0.36, p =0.02). Good quality embryos 37% (50/135) resulted in more clinical compared to poor ones 10% (2/20), ( OR 5.29 p= 0.016). Over 70% of embryo transfer process was easy. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher with easy transfer 38.4% (43/112) compared to 20.9% (9/43) of difficult transfers, (P=0.039, OR, 2.35; 95%Cl 1.03-5.59).
Conclusion: Embryo quality and transfer difficulties are principal determinants of outcome in embryo recipient cycles. Recipients’ midcycle endometrial thickness of at least 8mm may positively influence cycle outcome. Therefore, these factors must be fully evaluated and optimized before treatment is initiated.