P-311 Impact of adenomyosis on reproductive outcomes applying the revised Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment criteria in fresh donor oocyte recipients pretreated with GnRH agonist
Authors: Peralta S , Carrillo P , Barral Y , Ros C , Mendez M , Goday A , Manau D 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Could the diagnosis of adenomyosis (AD) impact reproductive outcomes when applying the revised Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) criteria in fresh donor oocyte cycles?

Summary answer

Adenomyosis diagnosis following the revised MUSA criteria in recipients did not have adversely affect reproductive outcomes in fresh donor oocyte recipients pretreated with GnRH agonist

What is known already

Prior metanalysis on IVF outcomes in patients with adenomyosis suggested lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, and increased miscarriage rates. Some studies suggest improved pregnancy rates with ultra-long GnRH agonist pretreatment.

Most studies focused on autologous embryo transfer without euploidy confirmation, and diagnostic criteria lacked consensus, in 2021 MUSA redefined criteria distinguishing direct and indirect features with different implications.

Study design, size, duration

A retrospective cohort study included all fresh oocyte donation cycles from January 2014 to September 2023, evaluating adenomyosis impact on implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate. The study analyzed 252 cycles without a formal sample size calculation due to its retrospective nature.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The study included 252 first fresh oocyte reception cycle with a fresh embryo transfer. Severe male factor cases were excluded. A transvaginal ultrasound (TUS) screening for adenomyosis criteria was performed, diagnosis required at least two criteria, with one being direct. Endometrial preparation involved one dose of 3,75mg triptorelin acetate intramuscularly injected in mid luteal phase, to facilitate the synchronization with donor and estradiol patches.

Main results and the role of chance

Adenomyosis was diagnosed in 10,7% (AD), endometriosis (END) was present in 21,8 % and 26,6% of patients presented both diagnoses.

Endometriosis patients received more pre-treatment (oral contraceptive or 2-3 long-agonist doses) than those without (40,7% AD, 43,6% END vs 17,3% non-AD/END).

Comparing patients with and without adenomyosis, no statistical differences were found in embryo transfer results between groups: clinical pregnancy rate (63% vs 56,9%), miscarriage rate (23,5% vs 14,1%), ectopic pregnancy rate (11,8% vs 4,7%) and live birth rate (40,7% vs 45,8%). No differences in gestational outcomes were observed in terms of the number of adenomyosis criteria present, the number of direct criteria, the type of criteria, or when differentiating between focal and diffuse adenomyosis. Similarly, there were no differences when comparing patients with both diagnoses to those with isolated adenomyosis.

The most prevalent adenomyosis features reported were hyperechogenic islands (direct criteria), followed by an irregular junctional zone and asymmetrical wall thickening (indirect criteria).

Finally, no differences were found in perinatal outcomes or complications during the pregnancy follow-up between groups.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Although this is the largest serie evaluating adenomyosisto the low adenomyosis prevalence in our population, these results should be confirmed in larger series. In our center all adenomyosis/endometriosis symptomatic patients are under medical treatment before assisted reproduction techniques, that may modify adenomyosis criteria over time and probably pregnancy outcomes.

Wider implications of the findings

This is the first study to characterize adenomyosis using the revised MUSA definitions in an oocyte donation programme. Applying these criteria and preparing endometrium with GnRH analog pretreatment and treating medically symptomatic patients before ART, adenomyosis did not adversely affect reproductive outcomes.

Trial registration number

Not applicable