Cardiometabolic function in Offspring, Mother and Placenta after Assisted Reproductive Technology (COMPART): a...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Health
• Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Background:

• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) use is increasing globally.
• Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is becoming more common than fresh embryo transfer (fresh-ET).
• Potential risks of ART, including FET, on maternal and offspring health require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore maternal and offspring health outcomes following ART, specifically comparing FET and fresh-ET.
• To investigate potential risks such as pre-eclampsia, large for gestational age offspring, and childhood obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms influencing these health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study including 600 pregnant women, partners, and offspring.
• Comparison groups: ART with FET, ART with fresh-ET, and natural conception.
• Multifaceted data collection: electronic medical records, questionnaires, biochemical/genetic/epigenetic analyses, fetal ultrasound, PEA POD scans, and clinical examinations.

Main Results:

• Data collection is ongoing across six work packages focusing on fetal growth, pregnancy, placenta, offspring, genetics, and epigenetics.
• Specific health outcomes under investigation include pre-eclampsia, large for gestational age offspring, and offspring cardiometabolic dysfunction.
• No results are available yet as the study is in its data collection phase.

Conclusions:

• The COMPART study will provide crucial insights into the long-term health implications of ART, particularly FET.
• Findings are expected to inform clinical practice and guidelines for ART procedures.
• The study aims to enhance maternal-fetal health outcomes in populations conceiving via ART.