Elevated Serum Estradiol Levels Do Not Inhibit Implantation During Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

• Serum estradiol levels are monitored during controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles.
• The impact of varying estradiol levels on frozen embryo transfer (FET) outcomes, specifically ongoing pregnancy rates, requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum estradiol levels and clinical pregnancy outcomes in blastocyst frozen embryo transfer cycles.
• To determine if elevated estradiol levels negatively impact ongoing pregnancy rates in FET cycles.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 173 female patients aged 18-43 undergoing vitrified blastocyst FET.
• Data collected from October 1, 2006, to October 1, 2016, at Tripler Army Medical Center.
• Analysis of ongoing pregnancy rates in relation to serum estradiol levels.

Main Results:

• No statistical difference in ongoing pregnancy rates was observed across different estradiol levels (p = 0.80).
• A statistically significant higher ongoing pregnancy rate was observed at estradiol levels >3000 pg/mL (p = 0.009).
• The mean age of patients at transfer was 34.5 years, with 70% undergoing double embryo transfer.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum estradiol levels do not appear to negatively impact ongoing pregnancy rates in frozen embryo transfer cycles.
• Estradiol levels exceeding 3000 pg/mL may be associated with improved pregnancy outcomes in FET cycles.