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Intravenous immunoglobulin for repeated IVF failure and unexplained infertility
Michael R Virro1, Edward E Winger, Jane L Reed
1Markham Fertility Centre, ON, Canada. drvirro@markhamfertility.com
Problem:
We set out to determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) improves in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates in women with a difficult history of multiple (≥ 2) prior IVF failures and /or 'unexplained' infertility.
Method Of Study:
A total of 229 women with multiple IVF failures (3.3 ± 2.1) and/or unexplained infertility (3.8 ± 2.7 years) were given IVIG on the day of egg retrieval, and the subsequent IVF success rates were compared with published success rates from the Canadian database (CARTR).
Results:
The pregnancy rate per IVIG-treated cycle was 60.3% (138/229), and the live birth rate per IVIG-treated cycle was 40.2% (92/229). This is a significantly higher success rate compared to the Canadian average (30% live birth rate; CARTR statistics from 2010; P = 0.0012). In cases where a single embryo was transferred, pregnancy rate using IVIG was almost twofold the CARTR pregnancy rate [(61%(20/33) to 34.9% (428/1225)]. In cases where two high quality (≥ Grade 3) day 5 blastocysts were transferred, nearly a 100% pregnancy rate was achieved using IVIG (30/31).
Conclusion:
IVIG may be a useful treatment option for patients with previous IVF failure and/ or unexplained infertility. The data confirm previously published studies at other centers.
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