Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Canada: 2006 results from the Canadian ART Register

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Reproduction
• Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Background:

• The Canadian ART Register (CARTR) has been collecting data on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycles performed in Canada.
• This report represents the sixth annual data collection and analysis of ART cycles in Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive report on ART cycles conducted in Canada during the 2006 calendar year.
• To analyze and present trends in ART outcomes, including pregnancy and birth rates, over time.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study design was employed, collecting data from 25 ART centers across Canada.
• Data encompassed 12,052 ART cycles, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and frozen embryo transfer (FET).
• Key outcome measures included clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and multiple birth rates.

Main Results:

• In IVF/ICSI cycles using autologous oocytes (n=8278), clinical pregnancy rate was 33.7% and live birth rate was 27.1%.
• The multiple birth rate per delivery was 30.3%, with a high-order multiple birth rate of 1.5%. ICSI was used in 64% of cycles.
• Frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles (n=2838) showed a 24.3% clinical pregnancy rate and an 18.6% live birth rate, with a 22.5% multiple birth rate.

Conclusions:

• CARTR achieved 100% voluntary participation from Canadian ART centers for the fourth consecutive year in 2006.
• Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates demonstrated a continued upward trend compared to previous years.
• Despite positive trends in live births, multiple birth rates decreased only slightly, highlighting an area for continued focus.