Monozygotic multiple pregnancies after assisted reproductive technologies: literature review

Authors

  • V.I. Piniaiev Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; ART-Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Ukraine
  • O.P. Riabenko Clinic of Reproductive Medicine «Nadiya», Ukraine
  • T.O. Yurchuk Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ukraine
  • M.P. Petrushko Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; ART-Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15574/PP.2020.82.86

Keywords:

monozygotic multiple pregnancy, monozygotic twins, ART, stimulation of superovulation, embryo in vitro culturing

Abstract

The incidence of monozygotic multiple pregnancies (MMP) is significantly higher after assisted reproductive technology (ART) than in general population.

The purpose of the systematic review — to study the effects of age, controlled ovarian stimulation, manipulation of Zona Pellucida (ZP); cryopreservation and prolonged embryo culture in vitro up to blastocyst stage at the incidence of MMP. Original research and reviews have been found using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. As a result 91 articles including 42 original studies were analyzed. Due to the small amount of data, it is not possible to identify the main factor affecting the MMP incidence. However, a comparison of the data presented in the literature allows us to conclude that set of procedures of ART programs increase MMP. Among them: stimulation of ovarian superovulation, intervention in ZP; hardening of ZP, cryopreservation of preimplantation embryos at the blastocyst stage with its preliminary collapse; suboptimal conditions of embryo culturing, transfer to the uterine cavity of embryo at the blastocyst stage. Obstetric and perinatal complications are significantly more likely to occur during MMP. This fact could be taken into account when patient management and requires high professional skills and specialists attention.

 

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Published

2020-06-29