Shared motherhood IVF: high delivery rates in a large study of treatments for lesbian couples using partner-donated eggs

Abstract

Shared motherhood IVF treatment is becoming increasingly accepted among assisted reproductive techique practitioners and patients in Europe, although data on its overall efficiency remain scarce. This 6-year retrospective study from a single, private, UK HFEA-regulated centre included consecutive lesbian couples (n = 121) undergoing shared motherhood IVF treatment (141 cycles). Recipients were more parous and had undergone more previous intrauterine insemination and IVF treatments than donor partners, who had slightly higher ovarian reserve markers than recipients. Indications in most cycles (60%) were non-medical. Most (79%) egg-providers were stimulated with gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist protocol, and no moderate or severe cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) arose. A total of 172 fresh and vitrified-warmed embryo transfers were carried out: 70% at the blastocyst-stage and 58% involved a single embryo. Cumulative live birth rate per receiver was 60% (72/120), and twin delivery rate was 14% (10/72). Perinatal outcome parameters were better for singleton than twin pregnancies, although the latter also achieved generally favourable outcomes. No significant difference in cumulative outcomes were found between synchronized and non-synchronized cycles. Shared motherhood IVF combines ovarian stimulation with single blastocyst transfer to provide a safe and effective treatment modality offering reassuring obstetrical and perinatal outcomes.

Keywords: In-vitro fertilization; Lesbian couples; Oocyte donation; Shared motherhood IVF; Single embryo transfer.