April 23, 2021
Question: Does intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) result in higher live birth rates than conventional in vitro fertilization (c-IVF) in infertile couples with non-male factor infertility?
Study:
- A recent study published in The Lancet (April 24, 2021) addressed this question.
- The study was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 1,064 couples.
- Results:
- Live birth rates after the first embryo transfer and cumulative ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth after 12 months from randomization from the start cycle were similar between couples undergoing ICSI and c-IVF (35% vs. 31%, and 42% vs. 41%, respectively).
- The risk of having no embryos for transfer was significantly lower in the ICSI group (2% vs. 4%).
Conclusion:
- This is the largest RCT to date comparing ICSI and c-IVF in infertile couples with non-male factor infertility.
- The results challenge the value of routine use of ICSI in assisted reproductive technology for this population.
- Preliminary data from this study were presented at ESHRE 2020.
Funding:
- HOPE Research Center
- Mỹ Đức Hospital
- Merck Sharpe and Dohme
- An Sinh Hospital
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy
- Monash University
- University of Adelaide
Note:
- The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth after the first cycle with embryo transfer.
- The secondary outcome was cumulative ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth after 12 months from randomization from the start cycle.
References:
- The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/
- ESHRE 2020: https://www.eshre.eu/Press-Room/ESHRE-News/2020
