title: First trimester trophoblast and placental bed vascular volume measurements in IVF or IVF/ICSI pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Are first trimester trophoblast volume (TV) and placental bed vascular volume (PBVV) different in IVF or IVF/ICSI pregnancies in comparison with spontaneously conceived pregnancies?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Any possible abnormal placentation in IVF or IVF/ICSI pregnancies in comparison with spontaneously conceived pregnancies is not detected by a difference in PBVV or TV at an early gestational age (GA).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Assisted reproductive technology pregnancies have been associated with an increased risk of placenta-related adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is unclear whether these effects originate from infertility or from the technique itself.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective cohort study in which 154 pregnant patients qualified for participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Out of 154 pregnant patients, 84 conceived spontaneously and 70 conceived after IVF or IVF/ICSI. We determined the TV at 10 weeks GA by Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis measuring application and the PBVV at 12 weeks GA by the virtual reality operating system of BARCO I-Space in both subgroups. The investigators were blinded to the mode of conception during the measurements. Analysis was limited to singleton pregnancies with only one sac ever detectable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in TV (mean 42.7, SD 15.9 versus mean 41.2, SD 13.9, P = 0.70) and PBVV (mean 27.6, SD 16.9 versus mean 24.8, SD 19.9, P = 0.20) between IVF or IVF/ICSI pregnancies and spontaneously conceived pregnancies. There was a significant correlation between TV and PBVV (rs = 0.283, P = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The limitations of the present study concern the small size of the study groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IVF or IVF/ICSI does not seem to be associated with abnormal placentation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study was financially supported by the Erasmus Trustfonds, the Meindert de Hoop foundation and the Fonds NutsOhra. No competing interests are declared.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rifouna
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands a.reus@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Reus
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Room Na-1523, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A H J
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Koning
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioinformatics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Room Na-1523, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van der Spek
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Exalto
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J S E
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Laven
mesh_terms: D001810:Blood Volume; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D047109:Fetal Development; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: IVF/ICSI; assisted reproductive technology; placental bed vasculature volume; trophoblast volume; virtual reality