Outcomes of in vitro fertilization cycles with embryo donation compared with double gamete donation with cryopreserved donor oocytes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of embryo donation compared with those of double gamete donation with cryopreserved donor oocytes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS: The 2016-2019 Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System was used to identify patients undergoing their first frozen embryo transfer of a donated embryo or their first fresh embryo transfer from cryopreserved donor oocytes fertilized with donor sperm.

EXPOSURE: None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Live birth rate per cycle start.

RESULTS

The analyses included 3,439 donor embryo transfer cycles and 439 double gamete donor embryo transfer cycles. Compared with recipients of embryos created with donated oocytes and sperm, recipients of donated embryos were younger (40 vs. 44 years). There were no significant differences in live birth rate (44.1% vs. 45.1%, odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-1.27), clinical pregnancy rate (55.4% vs. 57.6%, OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.90-1.34), or miscarriage rate (18.7% vs. 20.2%, OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.79-1.52) between those who used embryo donation compared with those who used double gamete donation, respectively. There were no differences in these outcomes after adjusting for recipient age, body mass index, smoking status, gravidity, parity, race, infertility diagnosis, number of embryos transferred, and day of transfer.

CONCLUSION

Live birth rates are similar between frozen donor embryos and fresh embryos created with cryopreserved donor oocytes and donor sperm. These findings may be used to reassure patients that both options provide comparable outcomes when both the egg and sperm components must be obtained through donation.