Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Repeated IVF Failure and Unexplained Infertility

Problem We set out to determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin ( IVIG ) improves in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) success rates in women with a difficult history of multiple (≥2) prior IVF failures and /or ‘unexplained’ infertility. Method of study A total of 229 women with multiple IVF failures (3.3 ± 2.1) and/or unexplained infertility (3.8 ± 2.7 years) were given IVIG on the day of egg retrieval, and the subsequent IVF success rates were compared with published success rates from the Canadian database ( CARTR ). Results The pregnancy rate per IVIG ‐treated cycle was 60.3% (138/229), and the live birth rate per IVIG ‐treated cycle was 40.2% (92/229). This is a significantly higher success rate compared to the C anadian average (30% live birth rate; CARTR statistics from 2010; P  = 0.0012). In cases where a single embryo was transferred, pregnancy rate using IVIG was almost twofold the CARTR pregnancy rate [(61%(20/33) to 34.9% (428/1225)]. In cases where two high quality (≥Grade 3) day 5 blastocysts were transferred, nearly a 100% pregnancy rate was achieved using IVIG (30/31). Conclusion IVIG may be a useful treatment option for patients with previous IVF failure and/ or unexplained infertility. The data confirm previously published studies at other centers.