Assessment of effective factors in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Despite many advances have been made in the assisted reproduction techniques (ART), implantation rate after embryo transfer has not increased significantly. This study aims to determine the factors involved in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following ART.

In this retrospective study, 80 infertile patients with a history of at least 3 recurrent implantation failure (RIF) following assisted reproductive technology (ART) were referred to Fatemezahra Infertility Center in Babol from March 2006 to March 2013 were selected. The control group also included 80 women who became pregnant following the first IVF. Associated factors of infertility, endocrine disorder and endometriosis were recorded and their effect on RIF was assessed in both groups. P-value<0.05 was considered significant.

The mean BMI was 26.39±3.63 in the case group and 26.77±4.49 in the control group. Body mass index (BMI) >30 increased the risk of RIF significantly (P = 0.001). After adjusting for the effects of other possible confounding factors, the odds ratio of obesity on RIF was 1.09 (0.91-1.19) 95% CI which was not significant (P = 0.06). There were no significant differences among type and cause of infertility, endocrine abnormalities, uterine malformations, endometriosis and polycystic ovary with RIF.

According to our findings, BMI, type and cause of infertility, endocrine disorders, uterine abnormalities, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary were not effective on recurrent implantation failure. Future studies by eliminating the effect of more confounders may clarify our findings.