Retrospective comparative study of the factors affecting birthweights in frozen-thawed embryo transfer, compared to fresh embryo transfer.

Aim: Several studies have indicated that the cause of the increased birthweight of frozen-thawed embryos was associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures, such as cryopreservation. In the present study, the mean birthweight of singletons was compared between the ovulatory and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cycles in order to investigate the primary factor that leads to higher birthweights from frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET).

Methods: This retrospective study was carried out from January 2011 to December 2014 on 2738 singletons who were born at 37-41 weeks' gestation, following ART in a single facility. The mean birthweight of the singletons who were born after a fresh embryo transfer (ET) was compared to the mean birthweight of the singletons who were born after a FET. In the FET cycles, the mean birthweight of the singletons was compared between the ovulatory and HRT cycles.

Results: The mean birthweight of the singletons who were born after a FET was significantly higher than that of the singletons who were born after a fresh ET. In the FET cycles, the birthweight from the HRT cycles was significantly higher than that from the ovulatory cycles. Among the HRT cycles, there was no difference between the birthweight of the singleton who were born from a blastocyst transfer and those who were born from a cleavage-stage ET.

Conclusion: The primary factor to affect the birthweight of singletons might be the pre/postET hormonal environment of the endometrium and not the stage of the transferred embryo nor the frozen-thawed procedure itself.