Patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer have similar live birth rates in spontaneous and artificial cycles

To evaluate the outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) when freezing takes place at the pronuclear stage, a retrospective analysis was performed comparing spontaneous and artificial cycles.

148 women received FET in a spontaneous cycle (Group A) and 55 women received FET in an artificial cycle (Group B) induced by administering estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P). Pregnancy rates, endometrial thickness and serum levels of E2, P and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured. Statistical analysis included the mean, the standard deviation, the Chi-squared test and the T-test.

The clinical pregnancy rate was 34.5% for Group A and 21.8% for Group B (p = 0.084), with a live birth rate of 20.9% and 12.7% respectively (p = 0.15). There was no difference in endometrial thickness or the P levels, while LH and E2 levels were significantly higher in group B (p < 0.0001).

Our retrospective study shows a trend towards higher pregnancy rates and live birth rates with the administration of FET during a spontaneous cycle compared to FET during an artificial cycle. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this trend.