Mid-gestation Down syndrome screening test and pregnancy outcome among unstimulated assisted-conception pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
Alteration of mid-gestation serum markers in assisted-conception pregnancies is believed to be attributable to ovarian superovulation treatment modalities. We compared alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and unconjugated estriol (uE(3)) in two groups of unstimulated assisted-conception pregnancies, that is, own-oocyte frozen embryos (own-FET) versus oocyte-donated (OD) embryos.


METHODS
Forty-three OD-conceived and 31 own-FET-conceived singleton parturient women (aged 29 +/- 4 years and 31 +/- 4 years respectively, P < 0.05) were followed from embryo transfer throughout pregnancy.


RESULTS
The daily pattern of first-trimester serum beta-hCG was similar in both groups. The OD group had only significantly increased AFP concentrations compared to the own-FET group (1.38 vs 0.99 median MoM respectively, P = 0.002). Although there were no chromosomal abnormalities and no fetal or neonatal deaths in either group, 12% OD women and 6.5% own-FET women were found screen-positive. Eight OD women and 11 FET women had an adverse obstetric outcome (P = NS).


CONCLUSIONS
OD embryos are a unique clinical model for evaluating the uterine compartment and its contribution to mid-gestation serum marker secretion.
Shulman
Adrian
A
Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Maymon
Ron
R
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D004964:Estriol