Factors influencing successful in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a matched pair study

In the present matched-pair study successful and unsuccessful IVF-ET trials in patients with similar preconditions were compared. Sixteen consecutive cases of clinical pregnancies after IVF and ET were included. For each pregnant patient the subsequent patient who fulfilled the matching criteria and who did not conceive was chosen as a control subject. The matching criteria were the stimulation regimen and the number of embryos transferred. Pregnant and nonpregnant patients were compared with regard to their age, the total dosage of hMG, the cycle day at oocyte retrieval, the E2 levels 48 and 24 hours before laparoscopy, the E2 rise, the number of retrieved oocytes, and the cleavage rate. In both groups the investigated variables showed no significant difference between pregnant and nonpregnant patients. In patients with the same cycle stimulation and the same number of embryos transferred, successful implantation was not predictable by the evaluated parameters.