PFC Staff Present Scientific Posters at ESHRE Annual Meeting

Pacific Fertility Center staff presented two scientific posters at the Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), which was held in Lisbon, Portugal, June 14–17, 2015.

Coauthored by Carolyn Givens, MD, and Erin Fischer, Bs, one poster was entitled "Do Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) Levels Predict Outcomes for IVF Patients Undergoing Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS)?" Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a protein produced by reproductive tissue that helps give an estimate of the remaining egg supply (ovarian reserve).

Looking at 288 IVF/PGS cycles from June 2010 to July 2013, the retrospective review found a good correlation between higher levels of AMH and higher numbers of chromosomally normal embryos. In addition, higher AMH levels also resulted in higher live birth rates per egg retrieval and per cycle, as well as low rates of pregnancy loss.

"This study reinforced previous data linking low levels of AMH and poorer outcomes," said Dr. Givens, "but it provided new information about the relationship between AMH and live birth rates." However, she said, low AMH responses can still be overcome if you can identify a chromosomally normal (euploid) embryo. With a euploid embryo, live birth rates were 53 percent per transfer, even when AMH levels were lower than 1.0 ng/mL.

Co-authored by Erin Fischer, Bs, Carolyn Givens, MD, and Joseph Conaghan, PhD, the second poster was entitled "[IVF outcomes for patients that elect to undergo Preimplantation Genetic Screening PGS." Looking at the probability of producing euploid embryos based on age, this study analyzed outcomes for 433 IVF/PGS patient cycles. As expected, the number of euploid embryos decreased with age.

"Although we have previously counseled patients about this," said Dr. Givens, "this study now provides specific data we can share with patients to help them set realistic expectations. For example, if a woman is 35 years old, she will, on average, have one normal embryo for every 6 eggs produced. However for women between 43 and 45 years old, she may need to produce as many as 42 eggs to find a normal embryo."

Despite age limitations, cycles that produced at least one euploid embryo for a frozen embryo transfer produced an overall live birth rate of 72 percent, she said.

About Pacific Fertility Center
Pacific Fertility Center is an international destination for male and female fertility treatment and care. It provides an extensive array of fertility treatment options ranging from intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to cutting-edge technology such as vitrification and genetic testing of embryos. For more information: www.pacificfertilitycenter.com.


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