Background: The present study aims to determine the predictive power of activin A levels in the prognosis of first trimester pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Methods: The study cohort included 23 biochemical, and 23 normal ongoing pregnancies conceived via IVF. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), progesterone, and activin A levels were assessed 14 days after embryo transfer.
Results: Serum activin A levels were significantly lower in biochemical pregnancies compared to normal ongoing pregnancies (0.57 vs. 0.81 ng/mL, p<0.001). The ability of activin A to predict normal ongoing pregnancies at a cutoff level of 0.695 ng/mL gave a sensitivity of 91.3%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 92%. Significant correlation was found between β-hCG and progesterone, β-hCG and activin A, and progesterone and activin A. Activin A, β-hCG, and progesterone were all found to be efficacious in prediction of early IVF pregnancies.
Conclusions: The present study indicates that single measurement of activin A can be suggested as a marker for the progress and outcome of early pregnancies conceived via IVF. However, further large-scale studies are required to determine the efficacy and reliability of activin A in prediction of early pregnancies achieved by assisted reproductive techniques (ART).