Embryo authority reports 28% pregnancy success in egg transfer

142 requests for in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection were received by the Embryo Protection Authority since its appointment in May 2013.

The EPA declined four requests from three women who were over the maximum age allowed by the protocol, 42, and one from a woman under the age of 25.

The EPA approves the stimulation procedures of women’s ova, but then has to further approve requests to fertilise the ‘frozen’ or vitrified, ova.

In total, 52 requests from couples to attempt to fertilise the maximum total of three eggs were approved.

In July 2013, 16 couples vitrified a total of 80 egg cells; in November 2013, 25 couples vitrified 84 egg cells, while one couple was allowed to freeze sperm; in January 2014, 24 couples vitrified 92 eggs and another couple was allowed to freeze sperm; and again in March 2014; 18 couples froze 82 eggs and one couple froze sperm.

During 2013, when IVF services were only being carried out by the private sector, a total of 100 in vitro fertilisation and ICSI procedures were performed over three sessions held in March, July and November 2013.

Our of the 32 couples in the March sessions, 10 became pregnant; seven out of 28 procedures from July 2013; and 11 out of 40 procedures in November 2013. 25 singletons were born of 28 pregnancies in total, while three couples were pregnant with twins.

In January 2014, Mater Dei Hospital started offering the IVF Services for 27 couples in January. The EPA received 15 requests for the fertilisation of three eggs, all of which were approved.

Out of the 27 couples undergoing IVF, 25 had successful embryo transfers, but only six couples had a pregnancy, resulting in six singleton deliveries.

In March 2014, another cycle was carried out in the private sector of 43 couples: 14 requests for the fertilisation of three eggs were received, of which five were refused.

Our of the 43 procedures, 11 couples had a successful pregnancy that delivered 11 singletons.