Drinking and IVF Don't Mix

A study presented recently at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) suggested that alcohol consumption decreases IVF success rates. The researchers questioned 2,574 couples undergoing IVF treatment. Couples who consumed over six alcohol units (two pints of beer or two large glasses of wine) per week were significantly less likely to become pregnant. Women were 18% less likely to have a successful IVF cycle, while men reduced their chances of success by 14%. The negative effects were particularly strong for women who consumed white wine and men who consumed beer. Based on these findings experts advise couples to avoid alcohol three months prior to an IVF cycle.

The lead researcher of the study, Dr. Brooke Rossi, stated "there are many factors why IVF fails and most of these patients have no control over. But how much they drink is something that they can change." The results of this study also suggest that alcohol consumption may decrease pregnancy rates in all couples attempting pregnancy, even those without specific fertility issues.

Assisted Hatching Benefits in Question

Assisted Hatching, a common procedure performed during an IVF cycle in which the zona pellucida (ZP- outer layer of the egg) is thinned or breached, was the subject of a recent scientific study. 121 women were involved in the randomized, double blind study, which was published in the Journal Fertility and Sterility. The women were younger than 38 years and had embryos with a ZP thickness of ≥13μm. Rates of clinical pregnancy, implantation and live births were compared. Surprisingly, the results showed no significant differences between the group that had the hatching procedure and the control group.

Previous studies have had conflicting results. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the procedure is still considered useful in cases with a poor prognosis. Women with previous history of ≥2 IVF failures, poor quality embryos, and women aged ≥38 years should be considered candidates for assisted hatching.