Fresh vs Frozen ET and surrogacy (Berlin Apr 2013)

The effect of embryo vitrification in pregnancy outcome in a surrogate / surrogacy motherhood program.

D. Daphnis, M. Solanou, I. Giakoumakis

We evaluated the influence of fresh embryo versus frozen embryo transfer on the outcome of a surrogate

motherhood program (SMP).

A total of 19 couples attempted IVF within a fresh cycle (group A; n=19) whereas 11 couples had IVF performed

within a frozen cycle (group B; n=11). It should be pointed out that all couples in Group B had a failed fresh cycle

and went on to utilize their cryopreserved embryos. All female patients (mean age of 37.6) underwent ovarian

stimulation using the antagonist protocol and semen samples were collected from the male partners. These women

asked to participate in our SMP because of a history of hysterectomy or the presence of malignant hypertension,

sickle cell anemia, chronic renal failure, or liver insufficiency (among others). ICSI techniques were performed in all

mature oocytes of each couple of groups A and B. In all patients from group B the ‘open’ vitrification system was

performed to vitrify and subsequently warm their corresponding embryos. All embryo transfers for both groups were

carried out at the blastocyst stage. The choice of surrogate mothers was based on the parameter that they had at

least one full term pregnancy.

In group A 19 embryo transfers took place which resulted in 8 (42.1%) positive b-HCG tests with a clinical

pregnancy rate of 36.8% (7/19), of which two have delivered. In group B there were a total of 4/11 (36.3%) which

produced a positive b-HCG test with all pregnancies continuing. There was no statistically significant decrease

(P<0.05; Chi square test) when cryopreserved embryos were utilized in the clinical pregnancy rate.

Couples requesting to participate in an SMP were shown to have similar pregnancy rates when fresh or

cryopreserved embryos are utilized and blastocyst transfer is opted.