Medically-assisted reproduction in Italy, 2021 data from the Italian MAR Registry

The Italian Medically Assisted Reproduction Registry (ItMARR) was established by a Decree of the Minister of Health issued on October 7^th, 2005. ItMARR has a crucial role in clearly and publicly disseminating epidemiological information on MAR activities and outcomes.

ItMARR data are collected in aggregate form and their submission is mandatory as stipulated by Law 40/2004. The aim of this article is to make a comprehensive overview of the activity of authorized centers that perform IUI and ART in Italy. Data used in this article refer to MAR treatments started between January 1^st and December 31^st, 2021.

MAR techniques were performed by 340 centers. In total, 92,407 ART cycles and 15,660 IUI cycles were performed in 2021. Gametes donation cycles represent 14.6% of ART activity and 4.2% of IUI. ART cycles performed per million women of childbearing age were 9077. In 2021, 3.8% of births in the general population in Italy were a result of ART application. In 2021, MAR activity had a strong increase compared to the previous year in which there were strong limitations on reproductive treatments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnancy rates per transfers were 29.4% with fresh techniques, 35.2% with FER, 26.3% with FO, 41.2% with OD and 37.9% with SD. The decreasing trend of multiple deliveries continues.

The ItMARR has become a great asset in the reproductive health scenario promoting a better MAR information dissemination. ItMARR is working on the implementation towards a "cycle-by-cycle" data collection system. This will bring the Italian monitoring system in line with others European countries.