Hepatitis B infection and outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the associated causes of subfertility, and the outcomes of the first IVF and embryo transfer treatment cycles in these infertile couples.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Assisted reproduction technology (ART) unit.


METHODS
Two hundred eighty-seven couples undergoing IVF and embryo transfer cycles.


METHODS
Analysis of data on patients' characteristics, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), embryology, and pregnancy (PR) and implantation rates of IVF and embryo transfer cycles according to HBV serostatus of the infertile couples, which was routinely screened.


METHODS
The PRs and the implantation rates.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (10.1%) women were HBV seropositive, whereas 32 (11.1%) of their husbands were HBV seropositive. Concerning the causes of infertility, there was a trend toward more tubal blockage (57.1% vs. 42.2%) in the HBV-infected group. Among the 190 women undergoing their first IVF and embryo transfer cycles, both the ongoing PR or live birth rate and implantation rate in HBV group were significantly higher than the controls (53.3% vs. 24.2% per cycle with embryo transfer; and 43.3% vs. 18.4%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate for the first time significantly higher PRs and implantation rates of IVF and embryo transfer cycles for couples with at least one partner being HBV seropositive. Further studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms are warranted.
Lam
Po Mui
PM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. Lampomui@cuhk.edu.hk
Suen
Sik Hung
SH
Lao
Terence Tzu
TT
Cheung
Lai Ping
LP
Leung
Tak Yeung
TY
Haines
Christopher
C