Objective: To compare the serum HCG levels in pregnant women of routine IVF versus ICSI during fresh transplantation cycles so as to explore whether ICSI influenced the serum HCG levels.
Methods: A total of 934 IVF pregnant cycles during March 2005 to September 2006 were divided into 7 groups: biochemical pregnancy (A), first-trimester miscarriages (B), ectopic pregnancy (C), single-pregnancy (D), twin-pregnancy (E), triplet-pregnancy (F) and heterotopic pregnancy (G). The median of serum HCG level at Days 14 and 21 was calculated among 7 groups.
Results: The serum HCG value was lower by ICSI than that by IVF only in biochemical pregnancy group at Day 14 (P = 0. 032).
Conclusion: ICSI is associated with relatively low HCG values in the biochemical pregnancies at Day 14 after embryo transplantation. There is no statistical difference of HCG level for clinical pregnancy between IVF and ICSI.