22 Oct Number, Success of Donor Egg Cycles Increase over Decade
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Jennifer Fay Kawwaas MD
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Kawwaas: Using CDC National ART Surveillance System (NASS) data, we found an increasing trend from 2000 to 2010 in the number of donor egg cycles performed annually and in the percentage of donor cycles that resulted in a good outcome, defined as delivery of a full term infant weighing more than 5.5lbs. Donor and recipient ages remained relatively stable at 28 and 41, respectively, over the 11-year period.
Elective single embryo transfer is recommended when the donor is under 35 years old, regardless of recipient’s age; transfer of a single day 5 embryo was associated with an increased chance of good perinatal outcome.
Tubal or uterine factor infertility and non-Hispanic Black race were associated with a lower chance of good perinatal outcome.
MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Kawwaas: Donor and recipient ages remained relatively stable at 28 and 41, respectively, over the 11-year period. Additionally, recipient age was not associated with likelihood of good perinatal outcome. In 85% of cycles in which donors were younger than 35 years old, a single embryo transfer was not performed resulting in a high rate, 37%, of twin pregnancies among donor oocyte cycles.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Kawwaas: For women with diminished ovarian reserve who cannot use autologous oocytes, egg donation is a good alternative option. Use of oocyte donation and likelihood of a resulting good perinatal outcome have increased over the past eleven years.
Elective single embryo transfer is recommended when the donor is under 35 years old, regardless of recipient’s age. Transfer of a single day 5 embryo was associated with an increased chance of good perinatal outcome.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Kawwaas: Additional studies evaluating the mechanisms by which race, infertility diagnosis, and day of embryo culture affect perinatal outcomes in both autologous and donor IVF pregnancies are warranted in order to develop preventive measures to increase the likelihood of obtaining a good perinatal outcome among ART users. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes. Given the increasing trend of oocyte donations, the inclusion of more detailed information about donor risks, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, in the NASS will be useful for monitoring safety of donor cycles.
Trends and Outcomes for Donor Oocyte Cycles in the United States, 2000-2010
Last Updated on October 22, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD