TOPLINE:

Reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF), where one partner donates oocytes while the other carries the pregnancy, demonstrates clinical pregnancy rates (64% vs 57%) and live birth rates (52% vs 48%) comparable to that with autologous IVF in same-sex female couples.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using Society of Assisted Reproduction and Technology Clinical Outcome Reporting System data from 2022, examining 866 embryo transfer cycles from 700 couples using reciprocal IVF and 2835 cycles from 2122 couples using autologous IVF.
• Multivariable log-binomial regression models with generalized estimating equations evaluated associations between reciprocal IVF and embryo transfer cycle outcomes, adjusting for oocyte and recipient age, infertility diagnosis, and preimplantation genetic testing use.
• Analysis included demographic, reproductive, and clinical characteristics comparison between couples undergoing reciprocal vs autologous IVF, with female-female couples using autologous oocyte IVF serving as the reference group.

TAKEAWAY:

• Clinical pregnancy rates showed a slight advantage for reciprocal vs autologous IVF (63.5% vs 57.1%; adjusted risk ratio [ARR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.13), while live birth rates were similar (52.1% vs 47.7%; ARR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.96-1.12).
• Reciprocal vs autologous IVF transfers more frequently utilized frozen embryos (87% vs 78%), preimplantation genetic testing (58% vs 51%), and blastocyst embryos (95% vs 86%).
• Singleton preterm birth rates were marginally higher in reciprocal vs autologous IVF cycles (14.5% vs 11.3%; ARR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.99-1.74).
• Partners pursuing reciprocal IVF were generally younger than those choosing autologous IVF, with 55% of oocyte donors and 57% of recipients younger than 35.

IN PRACTICE:

“Reciprocal IVF has gained clinical and social relevance with the growing accessibility of IVF and evolving acceptance in the queer community,” the authors of the study wrote. “Reciprocal IVF is an effective option for same-sex female couples, with outcomes comparable with traditional autologous IVF,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Daniela Diego, MD, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University in Atlanta. It was published online on February 12 in JAMA.

LIMITATIONS:

According to the authors, a key limitation was that the relatively recent inclusion of partner sex in the Society of Assisted Reproduction and Technology database may have resulted in some cycles not being captured in this analysis.

DISCLOSURES:

Audrey J. Gaskins, ScD, reported serving as a scientific advisor to Doveras Fertility, Inc., and holding stock options in the company. No other disclosures were reported.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.