Effect of alfentanil dosage during oocyte retrieval on fertilization and embryo quality.
OBJECTIVE
A possible negative effect of pain-relieving analgesics used during oocyte retrieval on fertilization and embryo development has been discussed. This study examines whether alfentanil dosage adversely affects fertilization and/or embryo quality.


METHODS
In a retrospective observational study the effect of different doses of alfentanil on two primary endpoints, fertilization rate and good quality embryo (GQE) rate, were compared in 663 women.


RESULTS
In group A (<or=0.5mg alfentanil) and group B (>0.5mg alfentanil) mean fertilization rate was 0.6+/-0.3 versus 0.6+/-0.2 (P=0.678, adjusted P=0.937, 95% CI for the difference -0.041; 0.044) and mean GQE rate was 0.6+/-0.3 versus 0.5+/-0.3 (P=0.207, adjusted P=0.179, 95% CI for the difference -0.015; 0.078), respectively. A paired comparison of 65 women who underwent repeated IVF cycles found that, compared with <or=0.5mg alfentanil, doses of >0.5mg alfentanil had no adverse effects on fertilization rate (mean difference 0.05+/-0.3, P=0.231, 95% CI -0.02; 0.12) or GQE rate (mean difference -0.02+/-0.4, P=0.970, 95% CI -0.12; 0.09).


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of alfentanil is not associated with adverse effects on fertilization rate, embryo development, or clinical pregnancy rate, which is reassuring and indicates that women can be offered adequate pain relief.
Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. ann-louise.gejervall@vgregion.se
Ann-Louise
AL
Gejervall
Kersti
K
Lundin
Elisabet
E
Stener-Victorin
Christina
C
Bergh
D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D015760:Alfentanil