title: Predictive power of activin A levels in the prognosis of first trimester in vitro fertilization pregnancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aims to determine the predictive power of activin A levels in the prognosis of first trimester pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study cohort included 23 biochemical, and 23 normal ongoing pregnancies conceived via IVF. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), progesterone, and activin A levels were assessed 14 days after embryo transfer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum activin A levels were significantly lower in biochemical pregnancies compared to normal ongoing pregnancies (0.57 vs. 0.81 ng/mL, p<0.001). The ability of activin A to predict normal ongoing pregnancies at a cutoff level of 0.695 ng/mL gave a sensitivity of 91.3%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 92%. Significant correlation was found between β-hCG and progesterone, β-hCG and activin A, and progesterone and activin A. Activin A, β-hCG, and progesterone were all found to be efficacious in prediction of early IVF pregnancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicates that single measurement of activin A can be suggested as a marker for the progress and outcome of early pregnancies conceived via IVF. However, further large-scale studies are required to determine the efficacy and reliability of activin A in prediction of early pregnancies achieved by assisted reproductive techniques (ART).
authors: Department of Infertility, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Care Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Erkan
authors: E
authors: Akan
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Ugur
authors: Sunduz Ozlem
authors: SO
authors: Altinkaya
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Ozat
authors: Sunullah
authors: S
authors: Soysal
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D011374:Progesterone