Smoking Decreases Endometrial Thickness in IVF/ICSI Patients

Abstract

Introduction Smoking is a serious problem for the health care system. Many of the compounds identified in cigarette smoke have toxic effects on the fertility of both females and males. The purpose of this study was to determine whether smoking affects clinical factors during IVF/ICSI therapy in a single-center reproductive unit.

Material and Methods In a retrospective study of 200 IVF/ICSI cycles, endometrial thickness and the outcome of IVF/ICSI therapy were analyzed.

Results Endometrial thickness was significantly lower in smoking patients than in non-smoking patients (10.4 ± 1.5 mm vs. 11.6 ± 1.8 mm). Age was significantly higher in women who failed to conceive. The total dose of gonadotropins administered was significantly lower in pregnant patients and the highest pregnancy rate was achieved with an rFSH protocol. BMI and number of cigarettes smoked did not influence treatment outcomes in this study.

Conclusion We showed that smoking has a negative effect on endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer. This may help to further explain the detrimental influence of tobacco smoke on implantation and pregnancy rates during assisted reproduction therapy.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Rauchen ist ein ernsthaftes Problem für das Gesundheitssystem. Viele der im Zigarettenrauch nachgewiesenen Verbindungen haben toxische Wirkungen auf die Fruchtbarkeit von Frauen und Männern. Ziel dieser Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob Rauchen klinische Parameter während einer IVF/ICSI-Therapie beeinflusst.

Material und Methoden In einer retrospektiven Studie mit 200 IVF/ICSI-Zyklen wurden die Endometriumdicke und verschiedene Zielparameter der IVF/ICSI-Therapie analysiert.

Ergebnisse Die Dicke der Gebärmutterschleimhaut war bei rauchenden Patienten signifikant geringer als bei Nichtrauchern (10,4 ± 1,5 mm vs. 11,6 ± 1,8 mm). Das Alter war bei Frauen, die nicht schwanger waren, deutlich höher. Die Gesamtdosis der verabreichten Gonadotropine war bei schwangeren Patienten signifikant niedriger und die höchste Schwangerschaftsrate wurde mit einem rFSH-Protokoll festgestellt. BMI und die Anzahl der gerauchten Zigaretten hatten keinen Einfluss auf das Behandlungsergebnis in dieser Studie.

Fazit Wir konnten zeigen, dass Rauchen die Dicke der Gebärmutterschleimhaut am Tag des Embryotransfers negativ beeinflusst. Diese Studie kann daher dazu beitragen, den schädlichen Einfluss des Tabakrauchs auf die Implantations- und Schwangerschaftsrate während der assistierten Reproduktionstherapie zu erklären.

Key words

assisted reproduction (ART) - infertility - menstrual cycle disorder - pregnancy - reproductive endocrinology

Schlüsselwörter

assistierte Reproduktionstherapie (ART) - Infertilität - Zyklusstörung - Schwangerschaft - reproduktive Endokrinologie

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