Does underlying infertility aetiology impact on first trimester miscarriage rate following ICSI? A preliminary report from 1244 singleton gestations

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of using ICSI for assisted fertilization on first trimester survival rates of singleton gestations among an unselected infertile population. METHODS: The 1244 singleton gestations achieved by ICSI were segregated according to underlying infertility aetiology, with 55.0% having male factor, 3.6% endometriosis, 4.3% polycystic ovarian disease, 9.1% tubal factor, 24.3% unexplained and 3.3% other. None of the patients had coexisting infertility factor. RESULTS: The survival rate of all ICSI singleton gestations during the first trimester was 72.2%. There were no differences in early pregnancy loss (EPL) rate by infertility factor. Among patients undergoing ICSI because of male factor, there were no differences in EPL using ejaculated or non-ejaculated sperm. Regardless of aetiology, women aged >40 years had significantly higher EPL (42.1%). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results demonstrate that first trimester miscarriage rates of ICSI gestations are not affected by underlying infertility aetiology but are affected by maternal age.