Therapeutic efficacy of the optimization of thyroid function, thrombophilia, immunity and uterine milieu (OPTIMUM) treatment strategy on pregnancy outcomes after single euploid blastocyst transfer in advanced age women with recurrent reproductive failure

Performance of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy for patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss and repeated implantation failure

Objective

The primary objective was to investigate whether the utilization of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) could enhance the reproductive outcomes in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) or unexplained repeated implantation failure (uRIF) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.

Materials and methods

We studied the reproductive outcomes of uRPL or uRIF sufferers in Chengdu women and children's central hospital from July 2020 to Jan 2024 retrospectively. These patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they underwent PGT-A or not. As the patients in the PGT-A group all had ICSI and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), only patients who underwent ICSI and FET were included in the non-PGT-A group for comparison. Demographic characteristics and reproductive outcomes were compared in uRPL or uRIF sufferers.

Results

For uRPL group, a significant increased ongoing pregnancy rate (63.6 % vs 26.1 %, p = 0.002) and reduced pregnancy loss rate (18.4 % vs 73.3 %, p < 0.001) were found in the PGT-A group in comparison with those in the non-PGT-A group. For uRIF group, no significant difference was noted in the HCG-positive rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, or pregnancy loss rate between the two groups. It is noteworthy that the maternal age in the PGT-A group was significantly higher than that in the non-PGT-A group (p = 0.048).

Conclusions

NGS-based PGT-A effectively optimized the reproductive outcomes in uRPL sufferers. Although its benefits in uRIF appeared to be limited, there is a potential advantage for those with advanced maternal age. Considering the small sample size, further randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy optimizes reproductive outcomes in recurrent reproductive failure: a systematic review

Introduction

Recurrent reproductive failure (RRF) is a common pregnancy complication, imposing great physical, emotional and financial burden for the suffered couples. The leading cause of RRF is believed to be aneuploid embryo, which could be solved by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in theory. With molecular genetic development, PGT-A based on comprehensive chromosomal screening (CCS) procedures and blastocyst biopsy is widely applied in clinical practice. However, its effects in RRF were not defined yet.

Methods

A systematic bibliographical search was conducted without temporal limits up to June, 2023. Studies about the effects of PGT-A based on CCS procedures and blastocyst biopsy in RRF were included.

Results

Twenty studies about the effects of PGT-A based on CCS procedures and blastocyst biopsy in RRF were included. It revealed that PGT-A could optimise the reproductive outcomes of RRF sufferers, especially in those with advanced age. However, in patients with multiple occurrences of pregnancy losses, the benefits of PGT-A were limited.

Discussion

More randomized controlled trials with large sample size are required to evaluate the benefits of PGT-A in RRF sufferers and identify which population would benefit the most.

Management strategies following implantation failure of euploid embryos

Background

Euploid blastocyst implantation failure may result from embryonic factors undetectable by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A); however, various nonembryonic factors can also intricately interfere with implantation. This review seeks to clarify evidence-based testing and treatments for implantation failure after euploid embryo transfer.

Methods

We conducted a review of the literature on implantation failure after euploid embryo transfer or multiple embryo transfer cycles, which mainly included systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Results

The recommended tests for implantation failure include (1) hysteroscopy, (2) endometrial CD138 immunohistochemistry and bacterial culture, (3) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and (4) thrombophilia screening. Based on diagnostic findings, the following treatments have been recommended: (1) antibiotics for chronic endometritis, (2) vitamin D replacement, (3) lifestyle modification, and (4) low-dose aspirin starting from the postimplantation period for thrombophilia. Moreover, frozen-thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer using assisted hatching and hyaluronan-enriched transfer medium may support embryo implantation.

Conclusion

To ensure a successful pregnancy in subsequent embryo transfers, simple, inexpensive, and evidence-based tests and treatments should be selected.

A review of the optimization of thyroid function, thrombophilia, immunity and uterine milieu treatment strategy for recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss

Background

Aside from embryonic factors, various factors can intricately interfere with embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy, causing recurrent implantation failure (RIF) or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This review focuses the optimization of thyroid function, thrombophilia, immunity, and uterine milieu (OPTIMUM) treatment strategy on RIF and RPL.

Methods

Three studies employing the OPTIMUM treatment strategy for patients with RIF and/or RPL were reviewed.

Results

The OPTIMUM improved pregnancy rates in women with RIF aged <40 years. Among advanced age women, however, no significant differences in pregnancy rates were observed between the control, OPTIMUM, and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) groups, although pregnancy rates were highest after OPTIMUM + PGT-A. The OPTIMUM reduced miscarriage rates in women with RPL aged <40 years. Among advanced age women, PGT-A, but not the OPTIMUM, contributed to miscarriage prevention. Factors predicting pregnancy success in women with RIF who received the OPTIMUM included thrombophilia and young age. Risk factors for an unsuccessful live birth among women with RPL who received the OPTIMUM included advanced age, infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, and non-ART treatment.

Conclusions

The OPTIMUM can improve pregnancy outcomes in women with RIF/RPL, except for advanced age women with embryonic factor-induced reproductive failure.