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.
Hamori
M
M
In Vitro Fertilization Clinic, Würzburg, FRG.
Stuckensen
J A
JA
Rumpf
D
D
Kniewald
T
T
Kniewald
A
A
Marquez
M
M
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D010065:Embryo Implantation, Delayed; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol