Higher efficiency of frozen embryo transfer in male infertility cases in in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the success rates of frozen and fresh embryo transfer methods in different patient groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 453 patients who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The patients were further divided into three groups as male factor, tubal/ovarian/uterine factor, and other factors. IVF treatment was performed through either fresh or frozen embryo transfer (FET). Of the 453 patients, 298 had fresh embryo transfer, and 155 received FET. The implantation and live-birth rates of FET were compared with fresh transfer approach, focusing on the effects of male infertility. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the pregnancy ratios of patients who underwent fresh embryo transfer versus patients who underwent FET. In patients who were receiving IVF treatment due to male factors, the pregnancy rate was 49.32% in the fresh embryo transfer group, whereas it was 69.70% in the FET group, revealing a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.0321). Although the live-birth ratios were higher in the FET group both among all patients who underwent IVF due to male factor, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We observed higher pregnancy rates in FET patients compared with fresh embryo transfer in the study group. The differences in pregnancy rates and live-birth rates were especially evident in IVF cases where male factor was the reason for the treatment.