title: Subclinical pregnancy losses among women undergoing in-vitro fertilization with ICSI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study is to asses the frequency of subclinical pregnancy loss (SPL) among women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and in-vitro fertilization with ICSI.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was retrospectively conducted in a private IVF center. SPL was defined by a temporary rise in serum beta hCG, along with the absence of signs of intra- and extra-uterine pregnancy by transvaginal ultrasonography. Overall 5273 COH and ICSI cycles with embryo transfer (ET) were segregated according to serum E(2) levels percentiles (-24th, 25th, 74th, and 75th), women age and the type of spermatozoa for assisted fertilization (ejaculated and surgically retrieved). Those groups were assessed for SPL rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 3125 (59.25) conception cycles, 305 (9.7%) were diagnosed as SPL. There was no difference in SPL rate among E(2) percentile groups. Women older than 35 years of age had significantly higher rate of SPL compared to younger women. There was also no difference in SPL rate among pregnancies in whom surgically retrieved spermatozoa used or ejaculated spermatozoa used for assisted fertilization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated that SPL rate was not influenced by the levels of E(2) during COH or the origin of spermatozoa used for assisted fertilization. However, maternal age was found to be detrimental for SPL.
authors.affiliation: Bahceci Women Health Care Center, German Hospital in Istanbul, Abdi Ipekci Cad Nisantasi, 80200, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ulun
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ulug
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Esra Aksoy
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Jozwiak
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mesut
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sismanoglu
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahceci
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D004958:Estradiol