In vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic screening

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Genetics
• In Vitro Fertilization

Background:

• In vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates are low for women of advanced maternal age.
• Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) for aneuploidies is proposed to enhance IVF effectiveness in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of preimplantation genetic screening on IVF outcomes in women aged 35-41.
• To compare ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates between IVF cycles with and without PGS.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted.
• Three cycles of IVF were compared between women receiving PGS and a control group.
• Primary outcome: ongoing pregnancy at 12 weeks gestation; Secondary outcomes: biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, live birth.

Main Results:

• The ongoing-pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the PGS group (25%) compared to the control group (37%).
• The live-birth rate was also significantly reduced in the PGS group (24%) versus the control group (35%).
• A total of 408 women and 836 IVF cycles were analyzed.

Conclusions:

• Preimplantation genetic screening did not enhance, but significantly decreased, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates in women of advanced maternal age undergoing IVF.
• The findings suggest PGS may not be beneficial for this patient population and could be detrimental.