ICSI: Women Less Than 38 Years Of Age More Likely To Give Birth To A Live Baby After ICSI, Shows New Research

ICSI: Women Less Than 38 Years Of Age More Likely To Give Birth To A Live Baby After ICSI, Shows New Research

A new research study conducted at a single fertility clinic led by researchers from Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel (Brussels, Belgium), has found that women undergoing fertility treatment who are less than 38 years of age are more likely to give birth to a live baby after ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) if 11 or more eggs have been retrieved from their ovaries in one ovarian stimulation cycle. The results of the study were presented recently at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

The study led by Dr Dominic Stoop, a senior clinical fellow and gynaecologist, and Ms Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training, has revealed that there is a gradual increase in the incidence of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester after the age of 35. The incidence for these events is almost the same until the age of 35.

According to the results of the study, until the age of 37 the average rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively. These rates increased to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively between the ages of 38-40. A further increase to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively was identified between the ages of 41-43.

Data on ICSI collected prospectively for nearly two decades at UZ Brussel from 1992 to 2009 was analysed by the scientists. The dataset comprised of a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles.

Dr. Stoop stated,

"To our knowledge, there have been no other studies reporting on live birth rates after ICSI in relation to the number of eggs retrieved that also includes the risks for preclinical abortion and miscarriage for women with a positive pregnancy test after ICSI treatment. By focusing only on ICSI treatments, we know the exact number of mature eggs retrieved, fertilised and implanted."

The study has also revealed that the ovarian response is significantly linked to the live birth rate. The best chances of a successful pregnancy were in women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation. Women who had 6-10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth than those with 11 or more eggs. Again, in comparison with women who had the best chances, a notable decline of 16.4% in the chance of a live birth was observed in women with only 1-5 eggs.

It is also worthwhile to mention that the age of the patient was not found to be related to the risk of ectopic pregnancy. The rate of ectopic pregnancy in the analysed dataset was found to be 1.9% per cycle which is almost the same as that seen in the general population.

Ms Jansen concludes:

"This analysis provides interesting information regarding the outcome for patients undergoing an ICSI treatment. It demonstrates the strong correlation between ovarian response and the chances of achieving a live birth after ICSI. It enables the fertility specialists as well as the patients to calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth."

"The study also shows a strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38, with an even more pronounced increase after the age of 40. These findings illustrate the important risks associated with the delay of childbirth to more advanced ages, especially until after the age of 38."

"The finding that the risk of ectopic pregnancy is unrelated to a woman's age, and is similar to that seen in the general population, is reassuring news for women undergoing fertility treatment."

Read More

ICSI: Women Less Than 38 Years Of Age More Likely To Give Birth To A Live Baby After ICSI, Shows New Research

ICSI: Women Less Than 38 Years Of Age More Likely To Give Birth To A Live Baby After ICSI, Shows New Research

A new research study conducted at a single fertility clinic led by researchers from Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel (Brussels, Belgium), has found that women undergoing fertility treatment who are less than 38 years of age are more likely to give birth to a live baby after ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) if 11 or more eggs have been retrieved from their ovaries in one ovarian stimulation cycle. The results of the study were presented recently at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

The study led by Dr Dominic Stoop, a senior clinical fellow and gynaecologist, and Ms Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training, has revealed that there is a gradual increase in the incidence of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester after the age of 35. The incidence for these events is almost the same until the age of 35.

According to the results of the study, until the age of 37 the average rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively. These rates increased to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively between the ages of 38-40. A further increase to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively was identified between the ages of 41-43.

Data on ICSI collected prospectively for nearly two decades at UZ Brussel from 1992 to 2009 was analysed by the scientists. The dataset comprised of a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles.

Dr. Stoop stated,

"To our knowledge, there have been no other studies reporting on live birth rates after ICSI in relation to the number of eggs retrieved that also includes the risks for preclinical abortion and miscarriage for women with a positive pregnancy test after ICSI treatment. By focusing only on ICSI treatments, we know the exact number of mature eggs retrieved, fertilised and implanted."

The study has also revealed that the ovarian response is significantly linked to the live birth rate. The best chances of a successful pregnancy were in women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation. Women who had 6-10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth than those with 11 or more eggs. Again, in comparison with women who had the best chances, a notable decline of 16.4% in the chance of a live birth was observed in women with only 1-5 eggs.

It is also worthwhile to mention that the age of the patient was not found to be related to the risk of ectopic pregnancy. The rate of ectopic pregnancy in the analysed dataset was found to be 1.9% per cycle which is almost the same as that seen in the general population.

Ms Jansen concludes:

"This analysis provides interesting information regarding the outcome for patients undergoing an ICSI treatment. It demonstrates the strong correlation between ovarian response and the chances of achieving a live birth after ICSI. It enables the fertility specialists as well as the patients to calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth."

"The study also shows a strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38, with an even more pronounced increase after the age of 40. These findings illustrate the important risks associated with the delay of childbirth to more advanced ages, especially until after the age of 38."

"The finding that the risk of ectopic pregnancy is unrelated to a woman's age, and is similar to that seen in the general population, is reassuring news for women undergoing fertility treatment."

Read More

ICSI study shows strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38 | ICSI

ICSI study shows strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38 | ICSI

The research, presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, also showed that rates of preclinical abortion (defined as a miscarriage so early in the pregnancy that there is no clinical or ultrasound evidence of the pregnancy), miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester remained more or less constant until the age of 34, but increased steadily from the age of 35 onwards.

Dr Dominic Stoop, a senior clinical fellow and gynaecologist, and Ms Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training, who are both from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel (Brussels, Belgium), and colleagues analysed data on ICSI collected prospectively over 18 years from 1992 to 2009 - a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles carried out at UZ Brussel.

"To our knowledge, there have been no other studies reporting on live birth rates after ICSI in relation to the number of eggs retrieved that also includes the risks for preclinical abortion and miscarriage for women with a positive pregnancy test after ICSI treatment. By focusing only on ICSI treatments, we know the exact number of mature eggs retrieved, fertilised and implanted," said Dr Stoop.

The researchers found that the live birth rate was highly dependent on ovarian response. Women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation had the best chance of a successful pregnancy; compared with these women, those who had 6-10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth, and those with only 1-5 eggs had a 16.4% lower chance.

Rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester remained fairly constant until the age of 34, but then increased steadily. On average, rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively until the age of 37. Between the ages of 38-40 the rates rose to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively, and between the ages of 41-43 the rates rose to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively. Read More

ICSI study shows strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38 | ICSI

ICSI study shows strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38 | ICSI

The research, presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, also showed that rates of preclinical abortion (defined as a miscarriage so early in the pregnancy that there is no clinical or ultrasound evidence of the pregnancy), miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester remained more or less constant until the age of 34, but increased steadily from the age of 35 onwards.

Dr Dominic Stoop, a senior clinical fellow and gynaecologist, and Ms Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training, who are both from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel (Brussels, Belgium), and colleagues analysed data on ICSI collected prospectively over 18 years from 1992 to 2009 - a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles carried out at UZ Brussel.

"To our knowledge, there have been no other studies reporting on live birth rates after ICSI in relation to the number of eggs retrieved that also includes the risks for preclinical abortion and miscarriage for women with a positive pregnancy test after ICSI treatment. By focusing only on ICSI treatments, we know the exact number of mature eggs retrieved, fertilised and implanted," said Dr Stoop.

The researchers found that the live birth rate was highly dependent on ovarian response. Women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation had the best chance of a successful pregnancy; compared with these women, those who had 6-10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth, and those with only 1-5 eggs had a 16.4% lower chance.

Rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester remained fairly constant until the age of 34, but then increased steadily. On average, rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively until the age of 37. Between the ages of 38-40 the rates rose to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively, and between the ages of 41-43 the rates rose to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively. Read More

ICSI treatment: Success of ICSI treatment 'higher for women under 38'

ICSI treatment: Success of ICSI treatment 'higher for women under 38'

Women who are younger than 38 years old are more likely to experience success following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, new research has revealed.

Females who are less than this age when they undergo treatment and who have 11 or more eggs which have been retrieved from their ovaries in one ovarian stimulation cycle have more chance of giving birth to a live baby, a Belgian study has shown.

Data from a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles carried out at UZ Brussel were used for the study, which looked at women who had undergone ICSI between 1992 and 2009.

The live birth rate was dependent upon ovarian response, the researchers found.

Those who had six to ten eggs retrieved were 4.3 per cent less likely to have a live birth than the women who had 11 or more eggs.

Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Belgium, said the results of the study will enable fertility experts to "calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth".

A recent study by Yale University School of Medicine, US, revealed that mothers who are obese affect the fertility of their offspring, because they have lower levels of the hormone ghrelin, which leads to their children being less fertile. Read More

ICSI treatment: Success of ICSI treatment 'higher for women under 38'

ICSI treatment: Success of ICSI treatment 'higher for women under 38'

Women who are younger than 38 years old are more likely to experience success following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, new research has revealed.

Females who are less than this age when they undergo treatment and who have 11 or more eggs which have been retrieved from their ovaries in one ovarian stimulation cycle have more chance of giving birth to a live baby, a Belgian study has shown.

Data from a total of 23,354 ovarian stimulation cycles carried out at UZ Brussel were used for the study, which looked at women who had undergone ICSI between 1992 and 2009.

The live birth rate was dependent upon ovarian response, the researchers found.

Those who had six to ten eggs retrieved were 4.3 per cent less likely to have a live birth than the women who had 11 or more eggs.

Eleonora Jansen, an obstetrics and gynaecology resident in training at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Belgium, said the results of the study will enable fertility experts to "calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth".

A recent study by Yale University School of Medicine, US, revealed that mothers who are obese affect the fertility of their offspring, because they have lower levels of the hormone ghrelin, which leads to their children being less fertile. Read More

ICSI - ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)- IVF (in vitro fertilisation): miscarriage risk high in older women

ICSI - ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)- IVF (in vitro fertilisation): miscarriage risk high in older women

Women undergoing the fertility treatment, ICSI, are much more likely to suffer a miscarriage in the first trimester if they are over the age of 37, new research has shown.

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is very similar to IVF (in vitro fertilisation) in that eggs and sperm are collected from each partner. The difference between the two procedures is the method of achieving fertilisation.

With conventional IVF, the eggs and sperm are mixed together in a dish and the sperm fertilises the egg ‘naturally'. With ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. As very few sperm are required, this method is often used when there is an issue with the sperm, such as a low sperm count or poor motility (movement).

Belgian researchers analysed data on 23,354 cycles of ICSI, which were carried out over an 18-year period, from 1992 to 2009.

The researchers found that the live birth rate was highly dependent on ovarian response. Women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation had the best chance of a successful pregnancy. Women who had six to 10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth than those with 11 or more, while those with one to five eggs had a 16.4% lower chance.

The study also found that the chances of a preclinical abortion (defined as a miscarriage so early in the pregnancy that there is no clinical or ultrasound evidence of the pregnancy), miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester remained constant until the age of 34, but increased steadily from the age of 35 onwards. Women were significantly more likely to miscarry if they were over the age of 37.

On average, rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively until the age of 37. Between the ages of 38-40 the rates rose to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively, and between the ages of 41-43 the rates rose to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively.

The study did however find that the risk of an ectopic pregnancy was not related to the age of the patient and remained at an average of 1.9% per cycle - a rate that is approximately the same as that seen in the general population. The researchers said that this would be ‘reassuring news for women undergoing fertility treatment'.

"This analysis provides interesting information regarding the outcome for patients undergoing an ICSI treatment. It demonstrates the strong correlation between ovarian response and the chances of achieving a live birth after ICSI. It enables the fertility specialists as well as the patients to calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth.

"The study also shows a strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38, with an even more pronounced increase after the age of 40. These findings illustrate the important risks associated with the delay of childbirth to more advanced ages, especially until after the age of 38," the researchers from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Brussels said.

Details of these findings were presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm. Read More

ICSI - ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)- IVF (in vitro fertilisation): miscarriage risk high in older women

ICSI - ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)- IVF (in vitro fertilisation): miscarriage risk high in older women

Women undergoing the fertility treatment, ICSI, are much more likely to suffer a miscarriage in the first trimester if they are over the age of 37, new research has shown.

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is very similar to IVF (in vitro fertilisation) in that eggs and sperm are collected from each partner. The difference between the two procedures is the method of achieving fertilisation.

With conventional IVF, the eggs and sperm are mixed together in a dish and the sperm fertilises the egg ‘naturally'. With ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. As very few sperm are required, this method is often used when there is an issue with the sperm, such as a low sperm count or poor motility (movement).

Belgian researchers analysed data on 23,354 cycles of ICSI, which were carried out over an 18-year period, from 1992 to 2009.

The researchers found that the live birth rate was highly dependent on ovarian response. Women who had 11 or more eggs retrieved after stimulation had the best chance of a successful pregnancy. Women who had six to 10 eggs retrieved had a 4.3% lower chance of a live birth than those with 11 or more, while those with one to five eggs had a 16.4% lower chance.

The study also found that the chances of a preclinical abortion (defined as a miscarriage so early in the pregnancy that there is no clinical or ultrasound evidence of the pregnancy), miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss during the first trimester remained constant until the age of 34, but increased steadily from the age of 35 onwards. Women were significantly more likely to miscarry if they were over the age of 37.

On average, rates of preclinical abortion, miscarriage and overall pregnancy loss in the first trimester were 8.5%, 6.8% and 16.9% respectively until the age of 37. Between the ages of 38-40 the rates rose to 13.8%, 16.6% and 33.8% respectively, and between the ages of 41-43 the rates rose to 21.6%, 31.6% and 56.7% respectively.

The study did however find that the risk of an ectopic pregnancy was not related to the age of the patient and remained at an average of 1.9% per cycle - a rate that is approximately the same as that seen in the general population. The researchers said that this would be ‘reassuring news for women undergoing fertility treatment'.

"This analysis provides interesting information regarding the outcome for patients undergoing an ICSI treatment. It demonstrates the strong correlation between ovarian response and the chances of achieving a live birth after ICSI. It enables the fertility specialists as well as the patients to calculate the chances of a pre-clinical abortion, a miscarriage or a live birth.

"The study also shows a strong increase in first trimester pregnancy loss after the age of 38, with an even more pronounced increase after the age of 40. These findings illustrate the important risks associated with the delay of childbirth to more advanced ages, especially until after the age of 38," the researchers from the Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Brussels said.

Details of these findings were presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Stockholm. Read More

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Injecting a single sperm into an egg

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Injecting a single sperm into an egg

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Photo of equipment used for ICSIIf there is a question of the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg, due to either a low sperm count or poor quality of the sperm, that poses no problem whatsoever. Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) would be performed instead of regular In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). With ICSI, the eggs are retrieved the same as if you were doing conventional IVF. However, the eggs and the sperm are then fertilized in the laboratory, by direct injection of a single sperm into each egg. Three days later the resulting embryos are simply placed into your uterus with no surgery, just as with IVF. Extra embryos are frozen for later attempts at pregnancy.

The availability of this Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection, "ICSI" technique (which was developed and perfected by the Brussels University and our institution in St. Louis) means that men whose sperm previously were too weak or too few to fertilize in vitro (IVF), now have no problem fertilizing their wife's eggs. The fertilization rate per egg using ICSI is about 70% despite the sperm being terrible, the fertilization rate per infertile couple is over 99% if the wife has adequate eggs, and the pregnancy rate per treatment cycle is over 50%. This is not significantly different from regular IVF with normal sperm. This technique is very cost-effective, and will give you the same high chance for getting pregnant as any couple with normal sperm.

How Does ICSI Work?

My colleagues, Drs. Van Steirteghem and Devroey from the Free University in Brussels, and I showed how we can take a single, almost non-moving "dead" appearing sperm and inject it into a woman's egg, getting a normal embryo and a completely normal baby. So far, over 10,000 babies have been born with this new technique from men who were otherwise considered hopelessly sterile. The babies are physically, mentally, and genetically completely normal, no matter how poor or miserable the sperm of the father.

We can take a man who would otherwise have to resort to donor sperm, and if we can find just a few weak sperm in his otherwise sterile appearing ejaculate, it is more than enough to microsurgically inject these few sperm into his wife's eggs, fertilize them normally, and get her pregnant.

If there is absolutely no sperm in the ejaculate, we can perform a testicle biopsy, remove the few non-moving sperm that we find through a highly refined ultra micropipette, inject it into the wife's egg and still get her pregnant. Even in testicles where allegedly there is no sperm production, we can usually (but not always) find a few sperm, which is enough for successful ICSI. Read More

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Injecting a single sperm into an egg

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) Injecting a single sperm into an egg

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Photo of equipment used for ICSIIf there is a question of the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg, due to either a low sperm count or poor quality of the sperm, that poses no problem whatsoever. Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) would be performed instead of regular In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). With ICSI, the eggs are retrieved the same as if you were doing conventional IVF. However, the eggs and the sperm are then fertilized in the laboratory, by direct injection of a single sperm into each egg. Three days later the resulting embryos are simply placed into your uterus with no surgery, just as with IVF. Extra embryos are frozen for later attempts at pregnancy.

The availability of this Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection, "ICSI" technique (which was developed and perfected by the Brussels University and our institution in St. Louis) means that men whose sperm previously were too weak or too few to fertilize in vitro (IVF), now have no problem fertilizing their wife's eggs. The fertilization rate per egg using ICSI is about 70% despite the sperm being terrible, the fertilization rate per infertile couple is over 99% if the wife has adequate eggs, and the pregnancy rate per treatment cycle is over 50%. This is not significantly different from regular IVF with normal sperm. This technique is very cost-effective, and will give you the same high chance for getting pregnant as any couple with normal sperm.

How Does ICSI Work?

My colleagues, Drs. Van Steirteghem and Devroey from the Free University in Brussels, and I showed how we can take a single, almost non-moving "dead" appearing sperm and inject it into a woman's egg, getting a normal embryo and a completely normal baby. So far, over 10,000 babies have been born with this new technique from men who were otherwise considered hopelessly sterile. The babies are physically, mentally, and genetically completely normal, no matter how poor or miserable the sperm of the father.

We can take a man who would otherwise have to resort to donor sperm, and if we can find just a few weak sperm in his otherwise sterile appearing ejaculate, it is more than enough to microsurgically inject these few sperm into his wife's eggs, fertilize them normally, and get her pregnant.

If there is absolutely no sperm in the ejaculate, we can perform a testicle biopsy, remove the few non-moving sperm that we find through a highly refined ultra micropipette, inject it into the wife's egg and still get her pregnant. Even in testicles where allegedly there is no sperm production, we can usually (but not always) find a few sperm, which is enough for successful ICSI. Read More