Recurrent Implantation Failure Is More Frequently Seen in Female Patients with Poor Prognosis

Background: This study evaluated the characteristics and results of patients who sufferfrom recurrent implantation failure (RIF).Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, a total of 2183 cases who wereevaluated retrospectively at the Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Departmentof Obstetrics and Gyneacology, IVF unit between 2000-2007. According to the datagathered, we included 1822 cases in this study. We compared 185 patients with RIF to 1637women without RIF.Results: Pregnancy was achieved by 589 couples out of 1822 (32%). The implantation ratewas 10%, which declined to 5.8% after the fourth attempt. In the RIF group, patients’ meanage was higher and there were more overweight women, the duration of fertility was longer,day 3 follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) levels and the total gonadotropin dose administeredwere higher, mean level of Estradiol (E2) on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)day was lower, and the mean level of progesterone on the hCG day was elevated comparedto the non-RIF group. Although the comparison of MII oocyte number was not significant,the mean number of fertilized oocytes was found to be significant in favor of the non-RIFgroup. The endometrial thicknesses were found to be similar for both groups. Comparisonof sperm motility and morphology were statistically significant in favor of the RIF group.Conclusion: In our study, we have found that the group with RIF were comprised ofpatients with poor prognosis who were older, overweight, had a longer infertility duration,a higher FSH level, and needed more gonadotropin doses in controlled ovarianhyperstimulation (COH). Sperm motility and morphology were better in the RIF groupcompared to the non-RIF group, and multiple pregnancy rates were lower in RIF patients.