Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
09:30
In Vitro Culture Strategy for Oocytes from Early Antral Follicle in Cattle
Published on: July 8, 2020
8.9K
2017-2018 Assisted Reproduction Cost Analysis Performance Indexes: Lombardy County Case Study
Paolo Emanuele Levi-Setti1,2, Andrea Busnelli1,2, Annalisa Bodina3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.
Frontiers in Reproductive Health
|October 28, 2022
Summary
This study found significant variations in IVF success rates and costs across public fertility clinics in Lombardy. Cryopreservation is key to improving patient safety and reducing economic burdens in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technology (ART) services are increasingly funded by public healthcare systems.
- Evaluating the efficiency and outcomes of these services is crucial for resource allocation and patient care.
- Significant variations in ART success rates and costs have been anecdotally reported, necessitating systematic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates and the economic cost per delivery in public ART units in Lombardy (2017-2018).
- To assess differences in ART outcomes among participating centers.
- To identify factors influencing cost-effectiveness and patient safety in public fertility treatments.
Main Methods:
- Data on fresh transfer delivery rate (DR) and cumulative delivery rate (CDR) from 22 Lombardy IVF units were extracted from the ART Italian Registry.
- Analysis included costs associated with oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, excluding stimulation and luteal support.
- Pregnancy loss and multiple pregnancy rates were also analyzed to determine overall cost per delivery.
Main Results:
- In 2017-2018, over 59,000 ART procedures were performed, resulting in approximately 6,600 deliveries.
- Delivery rates (DR) ranged from 2.86% to 34.98%, and cumulative delivery rates (CDR) ranged from 4.24% to 37.88% across centers.
- The mean cost per CDR varied significantly, from €12,480 to €86,203, highlighting substantial economic disparities.
Conclusions:
- Impressive differences in delivery rates and costs exist among public IVF centers, underscoring the need for standardized performance metrics.
- Cryopreservation plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety and reducing the economic cost per delivery.
- The formulation of specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and minimal performance indexes (PIs) is recommended for equitable resource allocation in ART programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
362
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
362
01:23Infertility in Males
316
Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
316
01:28Infertility in Females
376
Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
376
01:08Cloning of Dolly the Sheep
4.3K
The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual, the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter...
4.3K