An expensive technique that is said to increase the chances of pregnancy is used in many clinics in Sweden. But cheaper methods are just as good, according to a new study. Since IVF was introduced, developments have led to increased pregnancy rates and more children born. Among other things, it is about better methods for growing and freezing embryos. In the field of fertility there is also great commercial interest and certain methods are introduced before studies have been able to show that they actually lead to a better result for the patients. – There are many so-called “add-ons” in reproductive medicine, that is, techniques that aim for better results, but which are not supported by research, says Christina Bergh, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Gothenburg. The embryos lie undisturbed One such add-on is “time-lapse”. The method involves placing the fertilized egg cells, the embryos, in a special incubator in the lab where they are photographed at regular intervals. This means that the lab staff do not have to move the embryos and look under a microscope to see how they are doing. According to the marketing, the technology should provide increased pregnancy and birth rates. The arguments are that it is better for the embryos not to have to change their environment during the examinations and instead lie undisturbed. – It may sound logical, but the technology does not seem to affect the birth rate, which of course is the important thing, says Christina Bergh, who has also written an annotated article in the scientific journal Lancet where the results have been published. In the study, Dutch researchers examined around 1,700 women who underwent IVF where the embryos were cultivated and in some cases selected using time-lapse technology. These were compared with IVF using the traditional culture method. The researchers saw no difference in pregnancy or birth rates between the groups. Nor did it go any faster for the women to get pregnant in the cases where time-lapse was used. Used in Sweden In Sweden, the time-lapse technique is common and offered at many IVF clinics. Although it does not always cost extra for the patient himself, the purchase and maintenance of the equipment involves large costs. In other countries, clinics charge patients extra to use it. Those who long for children want to do what they think is best, and clinics want to be able to offer the best. It is very good that there are proper studies like this that actually show that this particular technology does not make a difference when it comes to pregnancies or births. It is about equipment that costs one or more million kroner. In total, half of the women gave birth to a live child during the study period. In the study, the women had one fertilized egg returned at a time, which is also standard in Sweden. – I think it’s very important to remember that we should have support for new methods introduced in healthcare that are actually better for the patient, says Christina Bergh.
t4-general
New study: Expensive IVF method does not give better results
