TY - JOUR
T1 - Complete failure of fertilization in couples with unexplained infertility
T2 - Implications for subsequent in vitro fertilization cycles
AU - Lipitz, S.
AU - Rabinovici, J.
AU - Ben-Shlomo, I.
AU - Bider, D.
AU - Ben-Rafael, Z.
AU - Mashiach, S.
AU - Dor, J.
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - Objective: To determine whether complete failure of fertilization of oocytes in couples with unexplained infertility persists during subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Design: A retrospective study of 120 cycles of IVF in 44 couples with unexplained infertility and complete failure of fertilization during their first IVF trial. Setting: In vitro fertilization unit of the Sheba Medical Center. Patients: Forty-four couples undergoing IVF for unexplained infertility. Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization rate of retrieved oocytes and pregnancy rate. Results: Of the initial 44 couples, 37 underwent additional IVF cycles and 30 (81.1%) achieved fertilization. Seven patients conceived during the study period as a result of IVF and two conceived spontaneously. Conclusions: Complete failure of fertilization does not necessarily persist during subsequent IVF cycles. Therefore, at least two more IVF cycles should be attempted before reverting to other therapeutic options. However, although fertilization can be achieved in most couples, the mean oocyte fertilization rate during subsequent cycles in this group is low. This suggests an underlying undiagnosed pathology of oocyte/sperm interaction in some of these patients.
AB - Objective: To determine whether complete failure of fertilization of oocytes in couples with unexplained infertility persists during subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Design: A retrospective study of 120 cycles of IVF in 44 couples with unexplained infertility and complete failure of fertilization during their first IVF trial. Setting: In vitro fertilization unit of the Sheba Medical Center. Patients: Forty-four couples undergoing IVF for unexplained infertility. Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization rate of retrieved oocytes and pregnancy rate. Results: Of the initial 44 couples, 37 underwent additional IVF cycles and 30 (81.1%) achieved fertilization. Seven patients conceived during the study period as a result of IVF and two conceived spontaneously. Conclusions: Complete failure of fertilization does not necessarily persist during subsequent IVF cycles. Therefore, at least two more IVF cycles should be attempted before reverting to other therapeutic options. However, although fertilization can be achieved in most couples, the mean oocyte fertilization rate during subsequent cycles in this group is low. This suggests an underlying undiagnosed pathology of oocyte/sperm interaction in some of these patients.
KW - In vitro fertilization
KW - failure of fertilization
KW - unexplained infertility
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027394140&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)55677-5
DO - 10.1016/S0015-0282(16)55677-5
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AN - SCOPUS:0027394140
SN - 0015-0282
VL - 59
SP - 348
EP - 352
JO - Fertility and Sterility
JF - Fertility and Sterility
IS - 2
ER -