ICSI shows no advantage over conventional IVF in patients with unexpected low oocyte yield.
In patients with fewer than five oocytes, ICSI does not show a significant advantage over conventional IVF based on embryo and pregnancy outcomes.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the hcg (human chorionic gonadotropin) corpusSummary and findings
This study compared the outcomes of conventional IVF (C-IVF) and ICSI in patients with unexpectedly low oocyte yield, specifically those with 3 or 4 oocytes retrieved. A total of 424 C-IVF cycles and 90 ICSI cycles were analyzed. The results indicated no significant advantage for ICSI over C-IVF in terms of embryo and pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract
Background A yield of fewer than five oocytes is associated with a sharp drop in success rates, making each oocyte extremely valuable and demanding highly efficient utilization. Therefore, we aimed to explore the optimal fertilization method for these patients. Methods This retrospective cohort single-center study included 424 C-IVF cycles and 90 ICSI cycles from 2016 to 2023. All patients were in their first ART cycle, with 3 or 4 oocytes retrieved. The study subjects were primarily divided into two groups: the IVF-LN (C-IVF with a 50% lower-than-expected oocyte yield) group and the ICSI-LN (ICSI with a 50% lower-than-expected oocyte yield) group. Results We observed no significant differences in the day 3 available embryo (87.0 versus 84.8%; p = 0.41), blastocyst formation (61.2 versus 57.9%; p = 0.69), day 5 blastocyst (56.9 versus 54.5%; p = 0.83) or good quality blastocyst (45.4 versus 50.0%; p = 0.83) rates between the IVF-LN and ICSI-LN groups. However, the day 3 good quality embryo rate was significantly higher in the IVF-LN group than in the ICSI-LN group (59.76% vs. 47.46%; p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the pregnancy (61.8 versus 57.7%; p = 0.50), clinical pregnancy (59.1 versus 53.8%; p = 0.40), ongoing pregnancy (52.2 versus 47.4%; p = 0.45) or live birth (48.6 versus 44.9%; p = 0.55) rates between the IVF-LN and ICSI-LN groups. Conclusion For patients with <5 Oocytes and a predicted yield of ≤50%, ICSI did not demonstrate a significant advantage over C-IVF.
Background
The study addresses the clinical question of whether ICSI provides a benefit over conventional IVF in patients who yield unexpectedly low numbers of oocytes. Prior research has shown mixed results regarding the efficacy of ICSI in various populations, making this investigation relevant for optimizing fertility treatments. Understanding the comparative effectiveness in low oocyte yield cases could influence clinical decision-making.
Methods
The study design, population characteristics, sample size, dosage, duration, and specific outcome measures were not reported in the abstract. Therefore, details regarding the methodology remain unclear.
Results
The primary endpoint and specific results were not reported in the abstract, limiting the ability to summarize findings accurately.
Interpretation
Due to the lack of reported results, it is not possible to compare the findings to existing literature or assess the clinical significance of any observed effects. Without numeric data, the implications for practice remain uncertain.
Key findings
- Not reported in abstract.
Limitations
- Not reported in abstract.