Different influence of incongruent follicular development on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and gamete intrafallopian transfer pregnancy rates.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the influence of incongruent (asymmetric) follicular development on treatment outcome in IVF-ET and GIFT cycles.


METHODS
A retrospective comparative study.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center for infertility.


METHODS
Five hundred forty-three consecutive assisted reproduction cycles (428 IVF-ET and 115 GIFT) in 422 infertile patients.


METHODS
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and IVF-ET or GIFT.


METHODS
The incongruity ratio as a parameter of the asymmetry in follicular development and pregnancy rate (PR).


RESULTS
For GIFT cycles, the PRs were 37.8% and 15.7% in cycles with congruent and incongruent follicular development, respectively. However, for IVF-ET cycles, the PR was not affected by incongruent follicular development: 28.2% and 29.0%, respectively. An inverse relationship was observed between the degree of incongruity and the estimated probability of pregnancy in GIFT cycles but not in IVF-ET cycles. Neither the side of the dominant ovary nor the degree of incongruity were consistent in consecutive cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
Incongruent follicular development during COH has a significantly negative influence on the outcome of GIFT cycles but not on the outcome of IVF-ET cycles. The reason for this difference is not clear. We recommend considering IVF-ET instead of GIFT if incongruent follicular development occurs.
Eldar-Geva
T
T
Monash In Vitro Fertilization, and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. gevasam@internet-zahav.net
Lowe
P J
PJ
MacLachlan
V
V
Rombauts
L
L
Healy
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development*; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies