Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Canada: 2003 results from the Canadian ART Register

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Public Health
• Biostatistics

Background:

• The Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Register collects data on ART treatments performed in Canada.
• This report presents the third annual analysis of ART outcomes from 2003.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycles conducted in Canada during 2003.
• To provide an overview of ART outcomes, including pregnancy and live birth rates, as well as multiple birth rates.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study design was employed.
• Data were collected from all 24 ART centers in Canada, representing 100% voluntary participation.
• The study analyzed various ART treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), frozen embryo transfer, and oocyte donation.

Main Results:

• A total of 10,656 ART cycles were reported. For IVF/ICSI cycles using autologous oocytes, the clinical pregnancy rate was 31.2% and the live birth rate was 23.9%.
• Multiple birth rates per delivery were 31.3% for IVF/ICSI cycles (1.6% triplets) and 27.1% for frozen embryo transfer cycles (1.9% triplets).
• Cycles using donor oocytes had a 43.9% clinical pregnancy rate and a 31.4% live birth rate, with a 36.5% twin birth rate.

Conclusions:

• The Canadian ART Register achieved full participation from all ART centers in 2003.
• Assisted reproductive technologies success rates in Canada were higher in 2003 compared to previous years.
• Multiple birth rates, including triplet rates, were lower in 2003 than in prior reporting periods.