OBJECTIVETo analyze the pregnancy outcomes of repeated IVF-ET cycles.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 702 repeated IVF-ET cycles (503 cases) performed in our center from 2006 to 2008, among which 191 cycles (Group A) had failed previously in other hospitals and 511 (Group B) in ours, focusing on the relationship of pregnancy outcomes with the number of repeated IVF-ET cycles and the age of the patients.

RESULTSIn Group A, there were no significant differences in pregnancy rates among the patients with 1, 2 or > 2 previously failed cycles (56.56% vs 66.67% vs 61.54%), while the numbers of oocytes obtained were significantly decreased (8.51 +/- 4.60 vs 8.48 +/- 3.32 vs 4.86 +/- 2.96) and the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) remarkably increased ([7.31 +/- 3.66] mIU/mL vs [6.83 +/- 2.35] mIU/mL vs [11.58 +/- 11.40] mIU/mL) in those with > 2 previous failures. In Group B, the results of the first IVF-ET cycle in our center showed that the number of oocytes obtained and the E2 level on the day of hCG injection were markedly decreased in the patients with 2 previously failed cycles (6.66 +/- 4.58 vs 9.59 +/- 4.30 and 2 396.87 +/- 1 602.02 vs 4 061.17 +/- 2 255.63), and so were the pregnancy rate, oocyte number, intimal thickness and essential FSH level in those with > 2 previous failures, but no significant differences were found in the rate of pregnancy, number of oocytes obtained, number of embryos transplanted and rate of abortions in those with 1 previous failure. The pregnancy and implantation rates of the repeated IVF-ET cycles were significantly reduced in the female patients aged < 38 years and with > 3 previously failed cycles, as well as in those aged > 38 years and with 1 - 4 previous failures, but not in those aged < 38 years and with < 3 previous failures in Group B.

CONCLUSIONThe pregnancy outcome of repeated IVF-ET cycles was not correlated with the number of the cycles, but maybe directly with different protocols in different reproductive centers. The rate of pregnancy was obviously decreased in patients that underwent over 4 repeated IVF-ET cycles, but had no obvious correlation with the number of cycles in those that received 1 - 3 cycles in the same reproductive center. The age of the patient influences the results of repeated IVF-ET cycles, and both pregnancy and implantation rates may decrease in those aged > 38 years.