Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Canada: 2001 results from the Canadian ART Register

OBJECTIVE: To present the success rates of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycles performed in 2001 in Canada. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Nineteen of 22 ART centers in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Couples undergoing ART treatment in Canada during 2001. METHODS: Data on each ART cycle performed during 2001 were submitted electronically to the Canadian ART Register (CARTR) by participating centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy and live birth rate per cycle started, multiple birth rate. RESULT(S): A total of 7,884 ART cycles was reported to CARTR. There were 5,393 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles using the woman's own oocytes. Per cycle started, the pregnancy rate was 28.3%, and the live birth rate was 23.1%; the multiple birth rate per delivery was 32.8%. Of cycles with oocytes retrieved, IVF was performed in 44% and ICSI in 56%; the outcomes were similar with the two procedures. There were 301 IVF/ICSI cycles using donor oocytes. The pregnancy rate was 29.2%, and the live birth rate was 22.4%; the multiple birth rate was 43.5%. There were 1,936 frozen embryo transfer cycles using the woman's own oocytes. The pregnancy rate was 18.9%, and the live birth rate was 15.4%; the multiple birth rate was 24.9%. CONCLUSION(S): For 2001, CARTR achieved 86% voluntary participation from Canadian ART centers. Pregnancy and live birth rates comparable to those of other countries were achieved.