IVF and IUI treatment cycles increase across Europe, along with stable pregnancy rates

Women in Europe are receiving more cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), according to data presented today at the ESHRE 40^th Annual Meeting in Amsterdam [1].

Preliminary data from the ESHRE European IVF Monitoring (EIM) Consortium [2] reveals a steady and progressive rise in the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In 2021, a total of 1 103,633 ART treatment cycles were reported by 1,382 clinics across 37 European countries – a 20% increase from the 919,364 cycles reported in 2020, keeping in mind that this was the year COVID affected the number of treatment cycles [3].

Of these 2021 treatment cycles, 153,191 were IVF, 418,069 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 368,464 frozen embryo replacement, 78,432 preimplantation genetic testing, 79,510 egg donations, 415 in vitro maturation of oocytes, and 5,552 cycles with frozen oocyte replacement. In addition, data from 1,441 institutions reported 148,194 IUI treatments where the partner’s semen is used (31 countries) and 48,583 IUI treatments where donor semen is used (23 countries). A total of 28,768 fertility preservation interventions, including oocyte, ovarian tissue, semen, and testicular tissue banking, were reported from 15 countries.

Clinical pregnancy rates [4] per aspiration and per transfer remained similar in 2021 and 2020 for IVF (26.3% and 33.5 % in 2021 versus 25.4% and 33.2% in 2020) and for ICSI (23.9% and 33.5% in 2021 versus 25.2% and 33.0% 2020). Pregnancy rates per transfer for frozen embryo replacement with own embryos was slightly higher in 2021 (37.0%) versus 2020 (36.0%), as were pregnancy rates per fresh embryo transfer from egg donations (53.1% in 2021 versus 51.3% in 2020), while for frozen oocyte replacements the number decreased slightly (45.5% in 2021 versus 45.7% in 2020).

This reflects a 3.98% increase in the use of one embryo per transfer, rising from 57.9% in 2020 to 60.5% in 2021. The proportion of singleton, twin, and triplet deliveries was 90.4%, 9.5%, and 0.1% in 2021, respectively, compared to 88.9%, 10.9%, and 0.2% in 2020. Twin and triplet delivery rates after frozen embryo replacement were 6.9% and 0.1%, respectively, compared to 7.9% and 0.1% in 2020.

The lead author, Dr. Jesper Smeenk of Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg, Netherlands, stated: “The 25^th ESHRE report on ART and IUI shows a continuous increase of reported treatment numbers and medically assisted reproduction (MAR)-derived live births in Europe. Being already the largest data collection on MAR in Europe, continuous efforts to stimulate data collection and reporting strive for future quality control and completeness of the data and offer higher transparency and vigilance in the field of reproductive medicine.”

Professor Dr. Karen Sermon, Chair of ESHRE, added: “This report underscores the significance of collaborative efforts and standardized reporting in advancing reproductive medicine. By enhancing data collection practices, we aim to elevate clinical standards and patient outcomes across Europe.”

 

Data collection and reporting:

The ESHRE EIM report represents the largest data collection on medically assisted reproduction in Europe. Since 1997, ART data aggregated by national registries, clinics, or professional societies have been collected and analysed by the EIM. This year’s data, covering treatments from January 1 to December 31, 2021, were provided by national registries or medical associations from 37 European countries.

The authors note in their presentation that the findings should be interpreted with caution, as the methods of data collection and levels of completeness of reported data vary among European countries. 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

A reference to the ESHRE Annual Meeting must be included in all coverage and/or articles associated with this study.

For more information or to arrange an expert interview, please contact the ESHRE Press Office at: press@eshre.eu

 

About the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

The main aim of ESHRE is to promote interest in infertility care and to aim for a holistic understanding of reproductive biology and medicine.

ESHRE collaborates world-wide and advocates universal improvements in scientific research, encourages and evaluates new developments in the field, and fosters harmonisation in clinical practice. It also provides guidance to enhance effectiveness, safety and quality assurance in clinical and laboratory procedures, psychosocial care, and promotes ethical practice. ESHRE also fosters prevention of infertility and related educational programmes and promotes reproductive rights regardless of the individual’s background. ESHRE’s activities include teaching, training, professional accreditations, mentoring and career planning for junior professionals, as well as developing and maintaining data registries. It also facilitates and disseminates research in human reproduction and embryology to the general public, scientists, clinicians, allied personnel, and patient associations.

Website:

 

About Human Reproduction

Human Reproduction is a monthly journal of ESHRE and is one of the top three journals in the world in the field of reproductive biology, obstetrics and gynaecology. It is published by Oxford Journals, a division of Oxford University Press.

 

References:

1. Presentation “Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Europe 2021 and development of a strategy of vigilance. Preliminary results generated from European registers by the ESHRE EIM Consortium, presented by J Smeenk.
2. This is the 25th ESHRE report based on data collected and analysed by EIM, which is a group of representatives of national registries on assisted reproductive technology (ART). Since its first report in 1997, EIM has recorded almost 14 million treatments, with 2.8 million children born based on information from national registries, clinics, or professional societies. The findings have been reported in manuscripts published in Human Reproduction.
3. Smeenk, C Wyns, C De Geyter, M Kupka, C Bergh, I Cuevas Saiz, D De Neubourg, K Rezabek, A Tandler-Schneider, I Rugescu, V Goossens ART in Europe, 2019: results generated from European registries by ESHRE, European IVF Monitoring Consortium (EIM) for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), Human Reproduction,
4. Clinical pregnancy refers to a pregnancy confirmed by an ultrasound scan that shows one or more gestational sacs – the fluid-filled structure surrounding an embryo – or definitive clinical signs of pregnancy.

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