In a nutshell
This study investigated if intralipid (IL) improves pregnancy outcomes after previous implantation failure (IF). They found that IL may improve pregnancy outcomes in these women.
Some background
Infertility is becoming increasingly common. Assisted reproduction (AR) is used to treat infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of AR. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is another method. An embryo is transferred to the uterus after IVF/ICSI. In some cases, the embryo may not implant in the uterus. This is called implantation failure (IF). There are a number of reasons for IF. The uterus lining may not support implantation. The immune system could also attack the embryo and prevent implantation. Recurrent IF is a recognized cause of infertility. There are no treatments for this.
Intralipid (IL) is a synthetic fat emulsion. It is made of oils, glycerin, and egg fats. It is given as an intravenous injection. IL can suppress the immune system. Some studies suggest IL could be useful in women with recurrent IF. It is unclear If IL affects pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing IVF/ICSI after IF.
Methods & findings
This study analyzed the findings of 4 clinical trials. This included 544 women with a history of IF. Women were randomly assigned to IL or placebo (inactive drug). IL was administered via intravenous injection. The main pregnancy outcomes evaluated were live birth rate (LBR) and clinical pregnancy rate (CPR).
The LBR was 98% higher in women treated with IL. The CPR was 74% higher in women treated with IL. Miscarriage was only reported in one study. There was no difference in this study. Side effects were similar in both groups.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that IL may improve pregnancy outcomes in women with IF after IVF/ICSI.
The fine print
The number of patients in this analysis was relatively low. 2 of the studies were only presented at a conference. This means they were not peer-reviewed by experts. When these studies were excluded there was no significant effect of IL on pregnancy outcomes. Additional studies are needed.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding infertility management please consult with your doctor.
Published By :
European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
Date :
Jun 26, 2020
