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The role of angiogenic markers in adverse perinatal outcomes: fresh versus frozen embryo transfers

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the angiogenic balance in fresh compared to frozen embryo transfers, and among neonates with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. All IVF cycles resulting in a singleton live birth at a university academic fertility center from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013, were examined. Concentrations of sFLT-1 and PlGF were measured in previously frozen serum specimens collected during early gestation at approximately 5 weeks gestation. Patients completed an electronic survey to detail perinatal outcome.

Results

We identified 152 singleton live births (103 fresh, 49 frozen). Demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. Ratios of sFlt-1:PlGF were not different between fresh and frozen transfers. Neonates from fresh cycles had a mean birth weight 202 g lighter (p = 0.01) than frozen cycles, after adjusting for gestational age. Among babies born with poor perinatal outcomes, there was a difference in sFlt-1:PlGF ratios after adjusting for race. In non-Asians, infants born small for gestational age (SGA) (< 10th percentile) had significantly higher sFLT-1:PLGF ratio, median ratio (0.21 vs 0.12, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Fresh transfers were associated with lower birth weight infants compared to frozen transfers. While there was no difference in sFlt-1:PlGF ratios between fresh and frozen transfers, these ratios were significantly lower in SGA infants, suggesting an imbalance in angiogenic markers during placentation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the use of the technical support and laboratory facilities of the University of Southern California Reproductive Endocrine Clinical Laboratory at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, funded by the USC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology seed funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Irene Woo, Intira Sriprasert, Kristin Louie, Sue Ingles, Frank Stanczyk, Lynda K. McGinnis & Karine Chung

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Avenue IRD 534, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Irene Woo

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Yen Chan

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Intira Sriprasert

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  1. Irene Woo
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  2. Yen Chan
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  3. Intira Sriprasert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Irene Woo.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests and have not received financial support for this work.

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Woo, I., Chan, Y., Sriprasert, I. et al. The role of angiogenic markers in adverse perinatal outcomes: fresh versus frozen embryo transfers. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 1639–1643 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1023-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1023-2

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