The role of oxytocin antagonists in repeated implantation failure

A prospective cohort study has been performed to find out if the administration of an oxytocin antagonist (Atosiban) at the occasion of embryo transfer has an effect on the pregnancy rate in patients with repeated failure of implantation. A total of 52 women with repeated failure of implantation after IVF/ICSI were included in this study. The ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) in the total group of patients was 12 out of 52 (23.1%). Based on embryo quality all cases were categorized in two groups. One with good embryo quality (Group A) and one with poor quality embryos (Group B). Of all patients who became pregnant, 11 belonged to the group of 26 patients with good quality embryos (OPR 42.3 %) and only one to the group of 26 patients with poor quality embryos (OPR 3.8 %). Our results indicate that when good quality embryos can be obtained, the use of Atosiban at the occasion of embryo transfer might offer a significant better implantation rate in women with repeated implantation failure after IVF/ICSI.