If you have successfully undergone an IVF process, but worried about embryo rejection or you experienced an embryo rejection then this blog is for you. There are several factors that contribute to embryo rejection in women such as age, genetic abnormalities, embryo quality, and hormonal imbalances. Read the blog to find out your reason for embryo rejection.
Failed Embryo Implantation
During the IVF process, the egg is fertilized in laboratory conditions. The fertilized embryo from the laboratory is then transferred to the uterus in the hope of getting fertilized. However, not every embryo turns out to be successful in the first go. Failure is an inevitable cause of the IVF process.
Common Causes of Embryo Rejection
There are numerous reasons for the body to reject an embryo, specifically if it’s through an IVF or any artificial pregnancy procedures. Some of the reasons are explained below:
Age
In the success rate of IVF, age is a crucial factor. Women who are in their mid-20s have a twenty-five to thirty percent chance of getting pregnant in a month. However, this rate declines rapidly when a woman is in her 30s or 40s. The chance of getting pregnant comes to around five percent in their 30s and one percent if a woman is in their 40s.
As women grow older, the quality and quantity of the eggs reduce. This makes women have fewer chances to get conception after 30 years. This is a similar scenario for the failure rates in a clinical pregnancy or through an IVF.
Embryo Quality
In the laboratory, the fundamental process is to inject the sperm into the egg. If the egg and sperm combine, the egg gets fertilized. As we have discussed above, women’s age plays a crucial role in success rate. If the embryo is of poor quality or there is a certain defect in the embryo that is transferred into the uterus, then it leads to pregnancy decline. Hence, the quality of the embryo during an IVF treatment.
Genetic and Chromosomal Abnormality
IVF failure can also be caused due to genetic or chromosomal defects. Humans in general have twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. However, women who are over 35 years old can be prone to chromosomal abnormalities.
This indicates that one or two chromosomes may be missing, added, or defective. This affects the entire system because they constitute the major portion of the DNA, and during the replication process, the defects in the genetic material also get replicated. Hence, it affects the embryo division in the early stages and leads to failure.
Immune System Factors
Embryo rejection in an IVF procedure can be caused due to several factors in the immune system. Specifically, antibodies such as antiphospholipids are often seen in women who experienced multiple IVF failures. Natural killer cells, or NK cells, play a crucial role in pregnancy; however, if they are overly expressed, they release toxins that may harm the embryo.
Additionally, since the embryo is from a laboratory, there are also chances of embryo rejection from the immune system. These cells see the embryo as a threat and reject the embryo. These can be the reasons for embryo rejection due to the immune system.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone prepare and thicken the uterine wall to hold the embryo. Any imbalance in these hormones can lead to an instability in the uterus wall and prevent it from being receptive to the embryo.
Additionally, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone maintain the ovarian cycle; any imbalance in these hormones affects the maturity and ovulation of eggs. Maintaining a balance in the hormones will reduce the rejection of embryos caused by hormonal instability.
Uterine and endometrial factors
The other underlying factor for embryo rejection is having a good-quality embryo but not a good environment for the embryo to grow in. Any inflammation or endometriosis in the ovary, including polyps, fibroids, or scarring, will impact the growth environment. These conditions make it difficult for the embryo to stick to the uterine wall making it hard to implant at the right place.
Lifestyle Factors
The lifestyle of both parents impacts the health and success of the embryo. This includes health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, thyroid, and other conditions namely thrombophilia. For instance, thyroid imbalances have been linked to diminished egg quality and quantity, which can potentially lead to infertility. Additionally, having a poor diet and being overweight can also affect the sperm/egg quality, leading to a failure in the IVF procedure.
Diagnosis of embryo rejection
Embryo rejection can be prevented in the early stages by certain diagnoses and treatments. Some of the important diagnostic methods are explained below:
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
Preimplantation Genetic testing helps to detect any chromosomal abnormalities in the egg before the implantation. This helps to achieve error-free fertilization and hopefully a positive pregnancy.
Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA)
ERA identifies the receptivity of endometrial receptors by analyzing a set of genes. After a biopsy, the sample is analyzed for any state of the endometrium links, and based on the results, the embryo is transferred at the right time.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy helps to identify any abnormality in the uterine cavity, including the polyps or fibroids.
Immune Testing
Immune testing can be done before looking for the levels of antibodies, NK cells, and other immune cells that may cause embryo rejection.
Prevention and Treatment Options
An IVF failure can be prevented by focusing on the above diagnostic methods before fertilizing the egg. Additionally, it is important to focus on a certain lifestyle, such as practicing meditation, exercising, and having a good, nutritious diet. This helps to keep the cortisol levels low, balances the hormone levels, and aids in easy conception.
The treatment options include hormonal therapy, antibiotic treatments, corticosteroid therapies, and surgical interventions if needed. These treatments are focused on overall well-being and maintaining the hormonal balance that helps in the implantation step. Additionally, hysteroscopy is used as a surgical procedure to clear up the uterus space for the embryo to adhere to and grow.
Conclusion
Dealing with an embryo failure can be frustrating and disheartening. However, it’s important to stay safe and understand the reasons for IVF failure before starting another cycle. While it’s common, there is always hope if you consult with your doctor and follow their advice.
FAQs
When the body does not accept the embryo, it shows signs of spotting, and cramping, and a menstrual cycle resumes.
Yes, there are cases where low-quality embryos are developed into healthy babies.
Yes, high levels of stress can hurt pregnancy. While stress is inevitable, it is controllable by practicing meditation or yoga.
