Uterine anomalies and in vitro fertilization: what are the results?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of uterine anomalies on the implantation rates after embryo transfer.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective, multicentric study. This study compare patients presenting a uterine anomaly (septate uterus, umicornuate, pseudonicornuate, bicornuate uterus) having attempted FIVETE between 1987 and 1992 with the normal population treated by IVF, as well as with FIVNAT results.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were part of the studied population and total 119 oocyt retrievals which lead to 103 embryo transfers (corresponding to 1.35% of the realised transfers during the same period in the three centers of the study). The pregnancy rate obtained by these patients is significantly lower than those obtained by the control group (11.7% pregnancies by retrievals vs. 19.1%, and 13.6% pregnancies by transfer vs. 24.9%). The implantation rate by embryo transfer is 5.8% in the population studied vs. 11.7% in the control group (P < 0.01). These results significantly improve when the uterine anomaly can be treated (septate uterus).

CONCLUSION

The uterine anomalies are associated with a lowered rate of embryo implantation. This implantation rate improves when the anomaly can be treated (septate uterus).