Emory University Research Finds Large Increase in In Vitro Fertilization Procedures

A new study by researchers at Emory University in Atlanta finds a large increase in the number of in vitro fertilization procedures in the United States and greater success in these procedures in producing pregnancies and full-term births. Researchers used data from 443 clinics across the United States, about 93 percent of all fertility centers nationwide.

The results found that the number of donor egg cycles increased from 10,801 in 2000 to 18,306 in 2010. The data also showed that outcomes involving a live infant born at 37 weeks or later and weighing 5.5 pounds or more increased from 18.5 percent in 2000 to 24.4 percent in 2010. The results showed that the average age of egg donors was 28 years and the average age of recipients was 41 years.

The study was led by Jennifer Kawwass, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellow in the department of gynecology and obstetrics at Emory University. She states, “More women with diminished ovarian reserve are using donor egg for IVF and having successes. And improved technology, along with better access to donor eggs, in part because of egg freezing capabilities, is also increasing numbers. It has also become more socially acceptable to use donor egg when choosing IVF.”