In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in the United States: 1990 results from the IVF-ET Registry. Medical Research International. Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), The American Fertility Society

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the procedures and outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) initiated in the United States in 1990.

Design: The registry follows a prospective study format.

Participants: One hundred eighty clinics submitted data on their ART treatments to the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Registry.

Main outcome measures: The outcomes measured included clinical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, stillbirth, delivery, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital defects.

Results: During 1990, the clinics reported performing 25,744 ovarian stimulation cycles. From all ART treatments there were 5,150 clinical pregnancies and 3,951 live deliveries. The overall live delivery rates were 14% for IVF (based on 16,405 retrievals), 22% for gamete intrafallopian transfer (based on 3,750 retrievals), and 16% for zygote intrafallopian transfer and related practices (based on 1,370 retrievals). The delivery rates for frozen embryo transfer cycles and IVF with donor egg cycles were 9% and 22%, respectively.

Conclusions: The 1990 results indicate an increase in the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and an increase in the number of embryos being transferred per cycle, along with no important changes in clinical pregnancy and delivery rates. In addition, there was an increase in both numbers of frozen embryo transfers and IVF cycles with donor oocytes.