SATELLITE IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION - THE OREGON EXPERIENCE

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the results of prelimina ry evaluation, ovarian hyperstimulation, and monitoring of patients at a distant in vitro fertilization satellite center with those treated at the main campus of the program. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four patients c ompleting oocyte retrieval cycles at the Eugene satellite Oregon Healt h Sciences University in vitro fertilization program for the period Ja n. 1, 1991,through Dec. 31, 1993, were compared with 222 patients at t he main campus for age, peak estradiol level, number of oocytes retrie ved, number of embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, and pregnancy outcome . RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the Eugene in vitro fertilization satellite center and the main campu s for any of the factors analyzed with the exception of clinical pregn ancy rate. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle at the Eugene satelli te center was 39% while the Portland main campus rate was 23% (p = 0.0 27), presumably because of a larger number of couples with severe male factor infertility at the central site. CONCLUSION: A distant in vitr o fertilization satellite program was highly successful in the Oregon experience. In addition to greater convenience to the patients, the pr ogram was highly comparable to the main campus program in measured par ameters of ovarian hyperstimulation, oocyte retrieval, number of embry os, and pregnancy rate.