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Frozen embryos less of a risk to mum and baby in IVF
These are the findings being announced today (Tuesday, September 4) by University of Aberdeen researchers at the opening of the British Science Festival, which is taking place in Aberdeen from the 4th to the 9th of September.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen conducted a review of 11 international published studies involving more than 37,000 pregnancies following implantation of either a fresh or thawed frozen embryo in IVF (in vitro fertilisation where the egg is fertilised outside the body).
The findings suggested that there was reduced chance of the mother having bleeding in pregnancy, and babies being born pre-term and with low birth weight when pregnancy resulted as a result of frozen thawed embryos as compared to those resulting from fresh embryo transfer. Risk of perinatal mortality was also found to be lower in babies who were born as a result of frozen embryo transfer.
These findings are reassuring for pregnancies following frozen embryo transfer.
Current practice, in which the best embryos are routinely selected for fresh transfer as a first choice, and only spare good quality embryos are frozen for transfer at a later stage, may no longer prove to be the optimal practice. Further research should be conducted to provide more information on these findings, say researchers.
Their review has just been published in the journal Fertility Sterility.
Dr Abha Maheshwari, Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, and Consultant in Reproductive Medicine with NHS Grampian, said: “We found pregnancies arising from the transfer of frozen thawed embryos seem to have better outcomes both for mums and babies when compared to those after fresh embryo transfer.
“Traditionally it has been thought that fresh is always better and used as a first choice. Initially there were concerns over the safety of freezing techniques, and it was felt that the quality of the embryo could deteriorate and impact on the health of the child. However, data to date has been reassuring.
“Our findings are a reassuring message for any women who may be anxious that freezing affects the quality of their embryos. In fact, the resulting pregnancy and baby may be healthier when a frozen embryo is implanted.”
With the move towards single embryo transfer, led by the Health and Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in UK, the use of freezing has increased worldwide. With use of vitrification (a method of freezing embryos) the survival of the embryos after freezing and thawing has increased remarkably. There are now studies showing that the pregnancy rates per embryo transfer are equal irrespective of whether fresh or frozen embyros were transferred.
Dr Maheshwari continued: “If pregnancy rates are equal and outcome in pregnancies are better, our results questions whether one should consider freezing all embryos and transfer them at a later date rather than transferring fresh embryos. This represents a major paradigm change in assisted reproduction, and one which could satisfy the twin demands of optimising safety and success.
“The existing data do have a number of limitations which need to be addressed in the context of further research before this strategy should be rolled out into routine clinical practice. The initial step must be to provide robust evidence to demonstrate that elective freezing of embryos can increase the chances of having a healthy baby, which would be best performed in the context of a large randomised, controlled trial.
“In the meantime my advice to women undergoing IVF is that there is no reason, yet, to change the way they approach IVF. However, there should be no concerns about freezing embryos and resulting pregnancies, if your clinic is offering the freezing of spare embryos”.
Notes to Editors
Dr Abha Maheshwari is available for interviews. Please contact the University of Aberdeen communications team on 01224 272014 to arrange.
1. About the British Science Festival
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops. The Festival takes place at a different location each year and was last held in Aberdeen in 1963. The 2012 Festival will take place from 4 - 9 September hosted by the University of Aberdeen. For further information, visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/festival.
2. About the British Science Association
The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation which provides opportunities for people of all ages to learn about, discuss and challenge the sciences and their implications. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science & Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org.
Issued by the Communications Team, Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: (01224) 272014.
Issued on: 04 September 2012
Ref: IVF
Contact: Shaunagh Kirby
