Effect of Endometrial Cavity Fluid On Pregnancy Rate of Fresh Versus Frozen In Vitro Fertilization Cycle

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to study the difference in etiology and outcome in terms of implantation rate and abortion rate in fresh (self-stimulated) versus frozen (oocyte donation cycle) in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in transient versus persistent fluid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Medicine of tertiary care center from January 2012 to November 2015. Data were collected retrospectively from the departmental files. Twenty-four patients from fresh IVF-stimulated cycles and 24 from frozen oocyte donation cycle with their endometrium prepared by hormone replacement treatment were included in the study. All patients selected in the study had grade-A embryo transfer of day 3–4 with maximum three embryo transferred. Pregnancy was defined by rising serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin levels performed after 14 days of embryo transfer and further confirmed by ultrasonographic visualization of gestational sac at 6 weeks. All biochemical pregnancies were included in implantation failure. All pregnant patients were followed till the termination of pregnancy and further noted as live birth or abortion. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy rate was seen more in self-stimulated cycle (62.5%) with live birth rate of 50% than hormone replacement treatment cycle, in which clinical pregnancy rate was 45.83% with live birth rate of 33.33%. Clinical pregnancy rate was highest in group with very less fluid in cavity (1–2 mm) 63% and with live birth of 52.63%. Clinical pregnancy was seen only in two patients of group B with anterior and posterior (AP) diameter of fluid in cavity of 2–3 mm with live birth of only one, whereas in group C, with AP diameter of 3–5 mm, none of the patient conceived. This difference was statistically significant. Clinical pregnancy rate was 65.62% in transient fluid accumulation with live birth rate of 53.25%, which was significantly higher than persistent fluid accumulation (P value − 0.0337 for pregnancy rate and 0.0312 for live birth rate). CONCLUSION: Fluid accumulation seen in fresh cycles are generally associated with better outcome because it may be associated with good prognostic factors – small AP diameter of fluid, with transient fluid accumulation and more with poly cystic ovarian syndrome as an etiological factor; however, in frozen cycle, it can be associated with poor outcome.