Treatment-independent, treatment-associated, and pregnancies after additional therapy in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
Although the technique of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was developed for couples with untreatable tubal factor infertility, IVF-ET is now being applied to women with other causes of infertility and normal pelvic anatomy. In an effort to determine the treatment-independent pregnancy rate, we retrospectively reviewed the first 245 couples enrolled in the IVF-ET program at Duke University Medical Center. There were 19 treatment-independent pregnancies in 18 women and 3 treatment-associated pregnancies in cycles in which the oocyte retrieval was canceled (in 2 women washed intrauterine insemination was substituted for oocyte retrieval). Six pregnancies were established after an unsuccessful attempt at IVF-ET with additional non-IVF-ET therapy, including washed intrauterine insemination in three couples, and donor insemination in two couples. These observations suggest that a significant number of treatment-independent pregnancies will occur in couples clinically deemed appropriate for IVF-ET, pregnancies can be established in cycles of controlled hyperstimulation without oocyte retrieval, and additional non-IVF-ET therapy can result in pregnancy despite failure of IVF-ET in selected couples.
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002996:Clomiphene; D008596:Menotropins