Ragaa T. Mansour

The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ICMART) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Revised Glossary on ART Terminology, 2009

BACKGROUND Many definitions used in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) vary in different settings, making it difficult to standardize and compare procedures in different countries and regions. With the expansion of infertility interventions worldwide, including lower resource settings, the importance and value of a common nomenclature is critical. The objective is to develop an internationally accepted and continually updated set of definitions, which would be utilized to standardize and harmonize international data collection, and to assist in monitoring the availability, efficacy, and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) being practiced worldwide. METHOD Seventy-two clinicians, basic scientists, epidemiologists and social scientists gathered together at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in December, 2008. Several months in advance, three working groups were established which were responsible for terminology in three specific areas: clinical conditions and procedures, laboratory procedures and outcome measures. Each group reviewed the existing ICMART glossary, made recommendations for revisions and introduced new terms to be considered for glossary expansion. RESULTS A consensus was reached on 87 terms, expanding the original glossary by 34 terms, which included definitions for numerous clinical and laboratory procedures. Special emphasis was placed in describing outcome measures such as cumulative delivery rates and other markers of safety and efficacy in ART. CONCLUSIONS Standardized terminology should assist in analysis of worldwide trends in MAR interventions and in the comparison of ART outcomes across countries and regions. This glossary will contribute to a more standardized communication among professionals responsible for ART practice, as well as those responsible for national, regional and international registries.

International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (ICMART) and the World Health Organization (WHO) revised glossary of ART terminology, 2009∗

OBJECTIVE Many definitions used in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) vary in different settings, making it difficult to standardize and compare procedures in different countries and regions. With the expansion of infertility interventions worldwide, including lower resource settings, the importance and value of a common nomenclature is critical. The objective is to develop an internationally accepted and continually updated set of definitions, which would be utilized to standardize and harmonize international data collection, and to assist in monitoring the availability, efficacy, and safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) being practiced worldwide. METHOD Seventy-two clinicians, basic scientists, epidemiologists and social scientists gathered together at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in December 2008. Several months before, three working groups were established as responsible for terminology in three specific areas: clinical conditions and procedures, laboratory procedures, and outcome measures. Each group reviewed the existing International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology glossary, made recommendations for revisions and introduced new terms to be considered for glossary expansion. RESULT(S) A consensus was reached on 87 terms, expanding the original glossary by 34 terms, which included definitions for numerous clinical and laboratory procedures. Special emphasis was placed in describing outcome measures, such as cumulative delivery rates and other markers of safety and efficacy in ART. CONCLUSION(S) Standardized terminology should assist in analysis of worldwide trends in MAR interventions and in the comparison of ART outcomes across countries and regions. This glossary will contribute to a more standardized communication among professionals responsible for ART practice, as well as those responsible for national, regional, and international registries.

World Collaborative Report on Assisted Reproductive Technology, 2002

The International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologys (ICMART) Eighth World Report analyzes assisted reproductive technology (ART) practice and results for the year 2002 from 53 countries by type of ART, womens age, number of embryos transferred and multiple births. Over 601,243 initiated cycles resulted in a delivery rate (DR) per aspiration of 22.4% for conventional IVF, 21.2% for ICSI and a DR per transfer of 15.3% for frozen embryo transfer. For conventional IVF and ICSI, there was an overall twin rate of 25.7% per delivery and a triplet rate of 2.5%. The number of babies born worldwide through ART in 2002 was estimated to range between 219,000 and 246,000. There were wide variations in availability, DRs and multiple birth rates across the countries. Compared with the previous report (year 2000), there was a large increase in the number of cycles and a slight increase in the DR. There was a marginal decline in the mean number of embryos transferred and in the multiple DRs.

The effect of sperm parameters on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of sperm parameters on the fertilization and pregnancy rates in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN A retrospective analysis of 130 cycles of ICSI performed for the treatment of male factor infertility. SETTING The Egyptian IVF-ET Center. PARTICIPANTS One hundred thirty couples with the diagnosis of male factor infertility or with previous failed fertilization in conventional IVF or subzonal sperm injection. INTERVENTION Ovum pick-up and ICSI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Fertilization and pregnancy rates in relation to different semen parameters. RESULTS A total of 1,433 oocytes were retrieved and 1,071 metaphase II oocytes were injected. Normal fertilization occurred in 620 oocytes (58%). Embryo transfer was done for 128 (98.5%) patients, and a total of 46 (35%) clinical pregnancies were achieved. There was no statistically significant difference in the fertilization or pregnancy rates between patients who had previously failed fertilization in conventional IVF, patients with subfertile semen, patients with semen between 1 and 10 x 10(6)/mL, and patients with semen < 1 x 10(6)/mL. There was also no significant difference in the fertilization and pregnancy rates between patients with < 95% or > 95% teratozoospermia. CONCLUSION In ICSI, the fertilization and pregnancy rates are not affected by different semen parameters as long as morphologically well-shaped live sperms could be used for the injection.

Fluid accumulation of the uterine cavity before embryo transfer: a possible hindrance for implantation.

Accumulation of fluid in the uterine cavity was recorded in three cases during vaginal ultrasound (US) monitoring for in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The three patients had hydrosalpinges and tuboovarian cystic masses. They all had a common complaint of intermittant vaginal discharge. Attempts at aspirating the fluid to empty the cavity was done in two cases but the fluid recollected. This condition possibly renders the uterine cavity hostile to the transferred embryos and careful consideration should be taken to diagnose it.

Complications of medically assisted conception in 3,500 cycles.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of complications in the use of assisted reproductive technology in the management of infertile couples. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING The Egyptian IVF & ET Center, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt. PATIENT(S) Two thousand nine hundred twenty-four patients underwent IVF-ET or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 3,500 cycles. INTERVENTION(S) IVF-ET, ICSI, ejaculate sperm, epididymal sperm aspiration, and testicular sperm extraction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Complications of the procedure and complications of pregnancy in 702 patients. RESULT(S) Fifteen hundred ovum pickups for IVF-ET and 2,000 ovum pickups for ICSI were performed. Clinical pregnancy occurred in 1,078 patients (30.8%). Four groups of complications were identified. Complications of the procedure occurred in 291 patients (8.3%). Complications of pregnancy included ectopic pregnancy in 1.9%, heterotopic pregnancy in 0.2%. abortion in 20.6%, multiple pregnancy in 28%, pregnancy-induced hypertension in 10%, preterm labor in 21.5%, low birth weight in 30.5%, and intrauterine death in 2%. Coincidental complications occurred in five patients (0.15%). Other complications that were difficult to measure included psychological breakdown and socioeconomic problems. CONCLUSION(S) Assisted reproductive technology is effective for the management of infertility and has an acceptable incidence of complications. Complications rarely endanger the life of the patient. When this line of treatment is offered, the indications should be definitive. Patients should be monitored properly and measures should be taken to minimize the incidence of complications.

International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies world report: Assisted Reproductive Technology 2008, 2009 and 2010

STUDY QUESTION What were utilization, outcomes and practices in assisted reproductive technology (ART) globally in 2008, 2009 and 2010? SUMMARY ANSWER Global utilization and effectiveness remained relatively constant despite marked variations among countries, while the rate of single and frozen embryo transfers (FETs) increased with a concomitant slight reduction in multiple birth rates. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ART is widely practised in all regions of the world. Monitoring utilization, an approximation of availability and access, as well as effectiveness and safety is an important component of universal access to reproductive health. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a retrospective, cross-sectional survey on utilization, effectiveness and safety of ART procedures performed globally from 2008 to 2010. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS Between 58 and 61 countries submitted data from a total of nearly 2500 ART clinics each year. Aggregate country data were processed and analyzed based on forms and methods developed by the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART). Results are presented at country, regional and global level. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE For the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, >4 461 309 ART cycles were initiated, resulting in an estimated 1 144 858 babies born. The number of aspirations increased by 6.4% between 2008 and 2010, while FET cycles increased by 27.6%. Globally, ART utilization remained relatively constant at 436 cycles/million in 2008 and 474 cycles/million population in 2010, but with a wide country range of 8-4775 cycles/million population. ICSI remained constant at around 66% of non-donor aspiration cycles. The IVF/ICSI combined delivery rate (DR) per fresh aspiration was 19.8% in 2008; 19.7% in 2009 and 20.0% in 2010, with corresponding DRs for FET of 18.8, 19.7 and 20.7%. In fresh non-donor cycles, single embryo transfer increased from 25.7% in 2008 to 30.0% in 2010, while the average number of embryos transferred fell from 2.1 to 1.9, again with wide regional variation. The rates of twin deliveries following fresh non-donor transfers were, in 2008, 2009 and 2010, 21.8, 20.5 and 20.4%, respectively, with a corresponding triplet rate of 1.3, 1.0 and 1.1%. Fresh IVF and ICSI carried a perinatal mortality rate per 1000 births of 22.8 (2008), 19.2 (2009) and 21.0 (2010), compared with 15.1, 12.8 and 14.6/1000 births following FET in the same periods of observation. The proportion of women aged 40 years or older undergoing non-donor ART increased from 20.8 to 23.2% from 2008 to 2010. LIMITATIONS, REASON FOR CAUTION The data presented are reliant on the quality and completeness of data submitted by individual countries. This report covers approximately two-thirds of the world ART activity. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF FINDINGS The ICMART World Reports provide the most comprehensive global statistical census and review of ART utilization, effectiveness, safety and quality. While ART treatment continues to increase globally, the wide disparities in access to treatment and embryo transfer practices warrant attention by clinicians and policy makers. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The authors declare no conflict of interest and no specific support from any organizations in relation to this manuscript. ICMART acknowledges financial support from the following organizations: American Society for Reproductive Medicine; European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology; Fertility Society of Australia; Japan Society for Reproductive Medicine; Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation; Red Latinoamericana de Reproduccion Asistida; Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; Government of Canada (Research grant), Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Grant unrelated to World Reports). TRIAL REGISTRATION not applicable.

Fertilization and pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection using ejaculate semen and surgically retrieved sperm

OBJECTIVE To compare the fertilization rates and pregnancy rates (PRs) in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using sperm from ejaculates of normal and abnormal semen, epididymal sperm, and testicular sperm of obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermic patients. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING The Egyptian IVF-ET Center. PATIENT(S) Three hundred fifty patients underwent 366 ICSI cycles. INTERVENTION(S) ICSI, epididymal sperm aspiration, and testicular biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Fertilization rates and PRs. RESULT(S) Patients were divided into five groups according to the quality and source of sperm. Patients in group 1 underwent 102 cycles of ICSI using ejaculated abnormal semen, group 2 underwent 44 cycles using epididymal sperm, group 3 underwent 82 cycles using testicular sperm from obstructive azoospermia, group 4 underwent 80 cycles using testicular sperm from nonobstructive azoospermia, and group 5 underwent 58 cycles using normal semen. There was no significant difference in the fertilization rates and PRs among groups 1, 2, and 3. In group 4, the fertilization rate and PR were significantly lower than in all other groups. In group 5, the fertilization rate was significantly higher than in all other groups. CONCLUSION(S) The fertilizing ability of sperm in ICSI is highest with normal semen and lowest with sperm extracted from a testicular biopsy in nonobstructive azoospermia. There was no significant difference in fertilization rates and PRs between ejaculated sperm of different parameters and surgically retrieved sperm in obstructive azoospermia.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination for treatment of unexplained infertility should be limited to a maximum of three trials

OBJECTIVE To investigate the optimum number of cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and intrauterine insemination in the treatment of unexplained infertility. DESIGN Observational prospective study. SETTING In vitro fertilization embryo transfer center. PATIENT(S) Five hundred ninety-four couples with unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S) Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cycle fecundity. RESULT(S) One to 3 cycles of COH/IUI were performed in 594 patients (group A) undergoing 1,112 cycles (mean, 1.9 cycles/patient). Up to 3 further trials (cycles 4-6) of COH/IUI were then performed in 91 of these women (group B), a total of 161 cycles (mean, 1.8 cycles/patient). A historical comparison group C consisted of 131 patients with 3 failed cycles of COH/IUI who underwent 1 cycle of IVF and ICSI at our center. In group A, 182 pregnancies occurred, with a cycle fecundity of 16.4% and a cumulative pregnancy rate (PR) of 39.2% after the first 3 cycles. In group B, 9 pregnancies occurred in cycles 4-6, with a cycle fecundity of 5.6%, significantly lower than that of group A (P<.001). The cumulative PR rose to 48.5% by cycle 6, a further increase of only 9.3%. In the women undergoing IVF and ICSI in group C, 48 pregnancies occurred, with a cycle fecundity of 36.6% per cycle, significantly higher than that of group B (P<.001). CONCLUSION(S) In unexplained infertility, the cycle fecundity in the first three trials of COH and IUI was higher than in cycles 4-6, with a statistically significant difference. Patients should be offered IVF or ICSI if they fail to conceive after three trials of COH and IUI.

A prospective controlled study of karyotyping for 430 consecutive babies conceived through intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE To compare the karyotype of babies conceived through ICSI with that of naturally conceived babies. DESIGN Prospective controlled study. SETTING The Egyptian IVF-ET Center, Cairo, Egypt. PATIENT(S) Four hundred and thirty babies conceived through ICSI and 430 babies conceived naturally. INTERVENTION(S) ICSI and karyotyping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Abnormal karyotype. RESULT(S) Four hundred and thirty consecutive babies conceived through ICSI who were delivered in one hospital had 15 abnormal karyotypes (3.5%). Of the 15 babies, 7 were of female phenotype and 8 of male phenotype. Six babies had sex chromosome anomalies, 8 had autosomal anomalies, and 1 had combined sex chromosome and autosomal anomalies. A control group of 430 consecutive babies conceived naturally who were delivered in one hospital had no abnormal karyotype. The difference between the two groups was significant (P<.001). CONCLUSION(S) ICSI carries a small but significant increased risk of abnormal karyotyping to the offspring. This risk appears to be equally distributed between autosomal and sex chromosome anomalies.