How many eggs retrieved in IVF are good numbers?

How many eggs retrieved in IVF are good numbers?

IVF becomes a popular technique for infertility treatment since it was invented 30 years ago. During the procedure it is difficult to predict the side effect and success for individuals. IVF success rate is related to egg number retrieved in the procedure. What is the optimum number of eggs for IVF? Is there a connection between egg numbers and live birth rate (LBR)? Ji J et al analysed the data from 2007 and 2011 from total 2455 patients who was undergoing first cycle of IVF treatment. All patients had normal menstrual cycles and were stimulated with a long GnR agonist protocol. Associations between egg number and LBR and miscarriage rate and the rate of moderate-severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) were analysed. These patients were divided into four groups according to the egg number retrieved: 0-5, 6-10,11-15 and >15. The fresh embryo transfer LBR and cumulative LBR were assessed. Their data suggested that for IVF cycles stimulated with a long protocol the optimal number of eggs for achieving a live birth is between 6-15. With increased egg number, the incidence of moderate-severe OHSS was increased. There was no significant difference in the miscarriage rates among the patient groups.

There was another research studied the association between egg number and the rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and live birth in fresh IVF cycles. In this research they analysed data from 256381 IVF cycles. Patients were divided into five groups according to the egg numbers retrieved. The data showed that the LB rate increased up to 15 eggs, then levelled (0-5: 17%, 6-10: 31.7%; 11-15: 39.3%; 16-20: 42.7%; 21-25: 43.8%; and >25 oocytes: 41.8%). While the rate of OHSS became much more clinically significant after 15 eggs (0-5: 0.09%; 6-10: 0.37%; 11-15: 0.93%; 16-20: 1.67%; 21-25: 3.03%; and >25 oocytes: 6.34%). These data showed that retrieval more than 15 eggs significantly inceases OHSS risk without improving LB rate in fresh IVF cycles.


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