In vitro fertilization when men, women, or both partners are positive for HIV: a case-control study

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples where one or both partners were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to matched control couples.

A matched case-control retrospective study was performed. Data for 104 couples where the woman was HIV-positive; for 90 couples where the man was HIV-positive; and for 33 couples where both partners were HIV-positive were prospectively analyzed in comparison to matched controls treated in our center during the same period. The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

For couples involving an HIV-positive man, clinical outcomes were comparable to controls and resulted in the birth of 18 healthy babies after 90 cycles. When the woman was affected, cycle cancelation, number of retrieved oocytes, and on-going clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were statistically reduced. Implantation rates were comparable to those of non-affected controls. Seven healthy babies for 104 cycles were obtained. For a couple in which both partners were HIV-positive, only one healthy birth occurred after 33 cycles. Pregnancy rates were systematically reduced though not significantly probably due to sample size.

Our data suggest that IVF outcomes were similar to controls when men were HIV-positive and remain acceptable when women were HIV-positive. IVF outcomes were severely reduced in our sero-concordant couples; however, many patients had severe HIV disease previously, and therefore, these results should be reassessed in patients treated early in their disease.