Journal List > Korean J Obstet Gynecol > v.53(4) > 1006400

Joo, Jo, Kim, Choi, Ko, and Lee: Comparison of pregnancy and implantation rates in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET cycles in infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

Objective

Aim of this study is to evaluate the pregnancy and implantation rates in fresh-embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed ET cycles in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

PCOS was diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria. In 4 cases of 72 stimulation cycles, ET was not conducted due to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Sixty eight cycles of fresh-ET and 40 cycles of frozen-thawed ET were included in this retrospective study. Age, gravidity, body mass index, infertility duration were compared between two groups. Number of embryos transferred, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate were compared between two groups by using chi-square test and student's t-test.

Results

Number of embryos transferred showed significant difference between two groups. Fresh-ET group was 4.7 and frozen-thawed ET group was 2.8 (P<0.001). However, overall clinical outcomes with fresh-ET and frozen-thawed ET cycles were similar. Implantation rates were 8.3% vs 11.5%, clinical pregnancy rates were 27.9% vs 25.0% and multiple pregnancy rates were 36.8% vs 20.0%.

Conclusion

Although more number of embryos were transferred in fresh-ET cycles, the clinical outcomes were similar between fresh-ET and frozen-thawed ET cycles. It may be due to decreased uterine receptivity in fresh-ET cycles. Frozen-thawed ET may be used as alternative plan for cases of severe OHSS and decreased uterine receptivity expected.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Patients' characteristics
kjog-53-339-i001

Value are mean±SD.

ET: embryo transfer, BMI: body mass index.

Table 2
Analysis of fresh cycles
kjog-53-339-i002

Value are mean±SD.

COH: controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, OHSS: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ET: embryo transfer.

Table 3
Analysis of frozen-thawed cycles
kjog-53-339-i003

Value are mean±SD.

Table 4
Overall outcomes of fresh-ET and frozen-thawed ET cycles
kjog-53-339-i004

Value are mean±SD.

ET: embryo transfer.

Table 5
Comparison of clinical outcomes of blastocyst stage ET between fresh cycles and frozen-thawed cycles
kjog-53-339-i005

Value are mean±SD.

ET: embryo transfer.

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