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Pregnancy rate fluctuations during routine work in an assisted reproduction technology unit
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center (Golda Campus), 7 Kakal St, Petah Tikva 49372 and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Background:
Fluctuations in spontaneous pregnancy rates have been observed in the general population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pregnancy rates fluctuate over time in a homogeneous assisted reproduction treatment unit.
Methods:
The study sample consisted of 3522 consecutive assisted reproduction cycles conducted from January 1996 to December 1999. Only fresh cycles in women <41 years old were included. All pertinent clinical data were prospectively collected on a computerized database and analysed at the end of the study.
Results:
Throughout the 4 years of the study, monthly pregnancy rates fluctuated between 10.5 and 34.1% (mean 21.4%) per cycle, and between 13.6 and 41% (mean 27.26%) per transfer. These fluctuations did not follow any specific seasonal pattern.
Conclusion:
During routine work in an assisted reproduction treatment unit, there are random fluctuations in the pregnancy rate. This factor should be considered in studies performed in a specific time-period.