Study on the optimal time limit of frozen embryo transfer and the effect of a long-term frozen embryo on pregnancy outcome

Abstract

In this retrospective study conducted at Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women and Children’s Hospital spanning January 2015 to December 2021, our objective was to investigate the impact of embryo cryopreservation duration on outcomes in frozen embryo transfer. Participants, totaling 47,006 cycles, were classified into 3 groups based on cryopreservation duration: ≤1 year (Group 1), 1 to 6 years (Group 2), and ≥6 years (Group 3). Employing various statistical analyses, including 1-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test, chi-square test, and a generalized estimating equation model, we rigorously adjusted for confounding factors. Primary outcomes encompassed clinical pregnancy rate and Live Birth Rate (LBR), while secondary outcomes included biochemical pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, early and late miscarriage rates, preterm birth rate, neonatal birth weight, weeks at birth, and newborn sex. Patient distribution across cryopreservation duration groups was as follows: Group 1 (40,461 cycles), Group 2 (6337 cycles), and Group 3 (208 cycles). Postcontrolling for confounding factors, Group 1 exhibited a decreased likelihood of achieving biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and LBR (OR < 1, aOR < 1, P < .05). Furthermore, an elevated incidence of ectopic pregnancy was observed (OR > 1, aOR > 1), notably significant after 6 years of freezing time [aOR = 4.141, 95% confidence intervals (1.013–16.921), P = .05]. Cryopreservation exceeding 1 year was associated with an increased risk of early miscarriage and preterm birth (OR > 1, aOR > 1). No statistically significant differences were observed in birth weight or sex between groups. However, male infant birth rates were consistently higher than those of female infants across all groups. In conclusion, favorable pregnancy outcomes align with embryo cryopreservation durations within 1 year, while freezing for more than 1 year may diminish clinical pregnancy and LBRs, concurrently elevating the risk of ectopic pregnancy and preterm birth.