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Wang L, Wang X, Li M, Liu Y, Ou X, Chen L, Shao X, Quan S, Duan J, He W, Shen H, Sun L, Yu Y, Cram DS, Leigh D, Yao Y. PGT-A: The biology and hidden failures of randomized control trials. Prenat Diagn 2022; 42:1211-1221. [PMID: 35765263 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE PGT-A for embryo selection has undergone significant advancements in the last two decades and yet many studies still fail to demonstrate any clinical benefits over traditional embryo morphology selection. To understand this conundrum, we performed a multi-center clinical study of PGT-A patients, where morphology selection (Mo-S) and euploid selection (Eu-S) outcomes were directly compared. METHOD All suitable blastocysts were biopsied and analysed for chromosome copy number. Outcomes (positive beta hCG, implantation, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates) for euploid selection were compared to morphology selection using single embryo transfers RESULTS: Compared to Eu-S embryos, Mo-S embryos resulted in significant reduction of outcomes for positive beta hCG (P=0.0005), implantation (P=0.0008), ongoing pregnancy (P=0.0046), livebirth (P=0.0112), babies per transfer (P=0.0112) and babies per embryo transferred (P=0.0112). Morphology selection resulted in patients of all age groups having non-euploid embryos chosen for transfer. Post-hoc evaluation of individual clinic performances showed variable transfer outcomes that could potentially confound the true benefits of PGT-A. CONCLUSION Embryo chromosome status is central to improved embryo transfer outcomes and sole reliance on current morphology-based selection practices, without euploid selection, will always compromise outcomes. Often overlooked but a major effector of successful PGT-A outcomes are individual clinic performances. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Genetics and Precision Medicine Center, the First People's Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University, Xian, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, 900thHospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xianghong Ou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Shao
- Reproductive and Genetic Medicine Center, Dalian Municipal Women and Children's Medical Center, New Sports City, Dalian, China
| | - Song Quan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinliang Duan
- Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, the 924thHospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Guilin, China
| | - Wei He
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Shen
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Sun
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuexin Yu
- Department of Reproduction Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, No.5, Shenyang, China
| | - David S Cram
- Genetics and Precision Medicine Center, the First People's Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Donald Leigh
- Genetics and Precision Medicine Center, the First People's Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Recurrent Implantation Failure-Is It the Egg or the Chicken? LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 12:life12010039. [PMID: 35054432 PMCID: PMC8777926 DOI: 10.3390/life12010039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is an undefined, quite often, clinical phenomenon that can result from the repeated failure of embryo transfers to obtain a viable pregnancy. Careful clinical evaluation prior to assisted reproduction can uncover various treatable causes, including endocrine dysfunction, fibroid(s), polyp(s), adhesions, uterine malformations. Despite the fact that it is often encountered and has a critical role in Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) and human reproduction, RIF’s do not yet have an agreed-on definition, and its etiologic factors have not been entirely determined. ART is a complex treatment with a variable percentage of success among patients and care providers. ART depends on several factors that are not always known and probably not always the same. When confronted with repeated ART failure, medical care providers should try to determine whether the cause is an embryo or endometrium related. One of the most common causes of pregnancy failure is aneuploidy. Therefore, it is likely that this represents a common cause of RIF. Other RIF potential causes include immune and endometrial factors; however, with a very poorly defined role. Recent data indicate that the possible endometrial causes of RIF are very rare, thereby throwing into doubt all endometrial receptivity assays. All recent reports indicate that the true origin of RIF is probably due to the “egg”.
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Pirtea P, Scott RT, de Ziegler D, Ayoubi JM. Recurrent implantation failure: how common is it? Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2021; 33:207-212. [PMID: 33896917 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To clarify a lingering issue, the true incidence of repeated implantation failures (RIF) in women undergoing successive frozen euploid single embryo transfers (FE-SET). RECENT FINDINGS As not all Assisted reproductive techinique (ART) attempts are crowned by success, it has been questioned since incept of ART whether failures resulted from an embryonic or endometrial cause. RIF has received no precise definition but a trend has existed toward setting a more stringent definition, as reproductive biology has become more effective and ART success rates improved. No scientific society has yet convened on a universally accepted definition. The advent of effective and well tolerated pregestational testing of embryos for aneuploidy (PGT-A) has allowed to not transfer aneuploid embryos, which are bound not to succeed. This, therefore, justify revisiting the concept of RIF when only euploid embryos are transferred. SUMMARY Contrary to lingering beliefs, the results of our study indicate that RIF following three successive euploid embryo transfers in a morphologically normal endometrium is a rare occurrence (<5%). This supports the concept that ART failures mainly result from embryonic causes. Our data also propose a new - functional - definition of RIF being an ART failure following 3 successive FE-SET attempts. Our findings, therefore seriously question the soundness of prescribing the often complex and expensive endometrial testing procedures that largely publicized for treating RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Pirtea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hopital Foch - Faculté de Médecine Paris Ouest (UVSQ), Suresnes, France
- IVI-RMA New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Dominique de Ziegler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hopital Foch - Faculté de Médecine Paris Ouest (UVSQ), Suresnes, France
| | - Jean Marc Ayoubi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hopital Foch - Faculté de Médecine Paris Ouest (UVSQ), Suresnes, France
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Pirtea P, De Ziegler D, Tao X, Sun L, Zhan Y, Ayoubi JM, Seli E, Franasiak JM, Scott RT. Rate of true recurrent implantation failure is low: results of three successive frozen euploid single embryo transfers. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:45-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Scriven PN. Towards a better understanding of preimplantation genetic screening for aneuploidy: insights from a virtual trial for women under the age of 40 when transferring embryos one at a time. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:49. [PMID: 28666459 PMCID: PMC5493873 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0269-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this theoretical study is to explore the cost-effectiveness of aneuploidy screening in a UK setting for every woman aged under the age of 40 years when fresh and vitrified-warmed embryos are transferred one at a time in a first full cycle of assisted conception. METHODS It is envisaged that a 24-chromosome genetic test for aneuploidy could be used to exclude embryos with an abnormal test result from transfer, or used only to rank embryos with the highest potential to be viable; the effect on cumulative outcome is assessed. The cost associated with one additional live birth event and one clinical miscarriage avoided is estimated, and the time taken to complete a cycle considered. The numbers of individual woman for whom testing is likely to be beneficial or detrimental is also evaluated. RESULTS Adding aneuploidy screening to a first treatment cycle is unlikely to result in a higher chance of a live birth event, and can be detrimental for some women. Premature termination of a clinical trial is likely to be biased in favour of genetic testing. Testing is likely to be an expensive way of reducing the chance of clinical miscarriage and shortening treatment time without a substantial reduction in the cost of testing, and is likely to benefit a minority of women. Selecting out embryos is likely to reduce the treatment time for women whether or not they have a baby, whilst ranking embryos only to reduce the time for those that have a child and not for those who need another stimulated cycle. CONCLUSIONS Adding aneuploidy screening to IVF treatment for women under the age of 40 years is unlikely to be beneficial for most women. To achieve an unbiased assessment of the cost-effectiveness of genetic testing for aneuploidy, clinical trials need to take account of women who still have embryos available for transfer at the end of the study period. Specifying the proportions of women for whom testing is likely to be beneficial and detrimental may help better inform couples who might be considering adding aneuploidy screening to their treatment cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Scriven
- Genetics Laboratories, 5th Floor Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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