The study’s objective was to compare live birth rates after a fresh In Vitro Fertilization cycle and embryo transfer and also cumulative ongoing pregnancy rates after fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer between continents. The study had 804 North American patients and 702 European patients and took place in fourteen centers in North America and 20 centers in Europe.
“I was honored and very pleased to lead this study. Working with other highly acclaimed physicians and IVF Centers on this investigation was very rewarding. This is the first randomized, controlled and blinded study of its kind comparing In Vitro Fertilization pregnancy rates in North America and Europe and we hope this furthers our education to help couples conceive all over the world,” explained Dr. Boostanfar.
The results showed that within each continent no differences were noted between the two fertility medication treatment groups; however, between continents, the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate and live birth rate after IN Vitro Fertilization were considerably higher in North America than in Europe. The live birth rate in North America was 39.2% in both treatment groups compared with 31.5% and 28.8% in Europe after corifollitropin alpha (a single injection stimulating egg production for seven days) and recombinant FSH (daily injection) treatment, respectively. Considering the number of embryos transferred, the live birth rate per embryo transfer was still higher in North America than Europe 42.7% v.s 36.8% with corifollitropin alfa and 41.6% vs. 30.9% with recombinant FSH..
The conclusion to the study revealed for the first time in a controlled and blinded randomized trial, that live birth rates and cumulative pregnancy rates were higher in North America than in Europe with a similar population of patients undergoing In Vitro Fertilization. More information on the study can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22459628.
About HRC Fertility: Dr. Boostanfar has been the fertility specialist on The Learning Channel Network’s “The Little Couple”, helping Bill Klein and Jennifer Arnold conceive with the help of a Gestational Surrogate. He is nationally and internationally recognized in the field of In Vitro Fertilization. Since its inception in 1988, HRC Fertility has been one of the largest providers of advanced reproductive care in the United States. HRC has three full-service in vitro fertilization laboratories and eight locations throughout Southern California, with offices in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. HRC Fertility’s ten physicians have extensive experience in reproductive medicine. For additional information about any of the services HRC Fertility offers, please visit them online at http://www.havingbabies.com or call HRC Encino’s office at 818.788.7288.
