The predictive value of idiopathic failure to fertilize on the first in vitro fertilization attempt

Objective To investigate the subsequent performance of patients with idiopathic fertilization failure on the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Design A retrospective study of 2,322 consecutive patients undergoing their initial IVF cycle. Setting Advanced infertility treatment in an IVF/general infertility clinic. Patients In 5 years, 94 couples with unexplained failed oocyte fertilization had 270 cycles of treatment. Each couple's performance was tracked through subsequent cycles of treatment. Interventions In vitro fertilization with husband and donor sperm. Main Outcome Measure(s) Investigated retrospectively after 5 years of data collection. Results Sixty-five couples of the original 94 had a second IVF attempt. Fifty of these successfully fertilized oocytes with husband's sperm and 4 with donor sperm. Nineteen of the 65 couples who continued treatment achieved a pregnancy, and only one couple had continuing fertilization failure. Conclusions The prognosis in the study group was surprisingly favorable despite the initial failed IVF treatment cycle.