Comparison of in vitro fertilization cycles in couples with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection versus noninfected couples through a retrospective matched case-control study

OBJECTIVE: To compare in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in couples in which at least one partner is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive with that of couples in which neither partner is HIV-positive. DESIGN: Retrospective matched case-control study. SETTING: Fertility center at Tenon Hospital, Paris, France. PATIENT(S): A total of 179 IVF cycles in couples infected with HIV-1 and 179 IVF cycles in control couples. INTERVENTION(S): Ovarian stimulation, oocytes retrieval, IVF (standard and microinjection), embryo transfer, pregnancy, and live birth follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Live birth rate and IVF outcomes RESULT(S): The first comparison between HIV and non-HIV couples showed poorer outcomes in the HIV group (higher administered gonadotropin doses and longer stimulation periods, lower cumulative pregnancy and live birth rates, among other things). A subgroup analysis was performed in addition. No differences were found in the “men HIV” group compared with the controls. In contrast, poorer outcomes in the “women HIV” and “women and men HIV” groups were shown in terms of administered doses, duration of stimulation, and number of oocytes retrieved. For the “women HIV” group, lower cumulative clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were found. CONCLUSION: The data suggested that couples with HIV-positive women have poorer medically assisted procreation outcomes than couples with non-HIV-infected women. Therefore, physicians should pay particular attention to couples with HIV-positive women.