Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2020 by the ethics Committee of the Japan Society of obstetrics and gynecology

Abstract

Purpose Since 1986, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology assisted reproductive technology (ART) registry system has collected data on national ART use and outcomes trends in Japan. Herein, we describe the characteristics and outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2020 and compare the results with those from 2019. Methods and Results In 2020, 621 ART facilities participated in the registration. The total number of registered cycles was 449 900, and there were 60 381 live births, which decreased from the previous year (1.79% and 0.36% decrease, respectively). The number of freeze‐all in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles increased in 2020, and the number of neonates born was 2282 for IVF‐embryo transfer (ET) cycles and 2596 for ICSI cycles, which had decreased from the previous year. Frozen–thawed ET (FET) cycles had slightly increased from 2019 (0.04%). In 2020, 215 285 FET cycles were conducted, resulting in 76 196 pregnancies and 55 503 neonates. Single ET was performed in 81.6% of fresh transfers and 85.1% of frozen–thawed cycles, respectively, resulting in over 97% singleton pregnancies/livebirths rates. Conclusion Despite the COVID‐19 pandemic during 2020, the overall number of ART cycles and neonates born demonstrated only a slight decrease in 2020 compared with 2019.

Fact‐finding survey on assisted reproductive technology in Japan

“…In Japan, among the treatment cycles registered in 2020, 40.1% (180 592/449 900) were in women over the age of 40. 3 As a background note, oocyte donation is not done in Japan in principle. The fact that these older women, and women with severely diminished ovarian reserves, are also undergoing ART is a major factor in the increased use of natural IVF.…”

“…Although conventional IVF has become mainstream worldwide, more than half of the facilities in Japan continue to perform natural IVF. In Japan, among the treatment cycles registered in 2020, 40.1% (180 592/449 900) were in women over the age of 40 3 . As a background note, oocyte donation is not done in Japan in principle.…”

“…3 Despite the use of ART, pregnancy rates and birthrates tend to decrease with age. 3,4 Therefore, it is important for individuals who require ART treatment to receive it at an early age, if possible. However, access to high-cost ART is difficult for working-age patient populations.…”

“…Under these circumstances, the importance of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing. In 2020, 449 900 cycles of ART were performed nationwide, of which 58 800 cycles (13.0%) led to 60 381 live births in Japan 3 . Despite the use of ART, pregnancy rates and birthrates tend to decrease with age 3,4 .…”

“…In 2020, 449 900 cycles of ART were performed nationwide, of which 58 800 cycles (13.0%) led to 60 381 live births in Japan 3 . Despite the use of ART, pregnancy rates and birthrates tend to decrease with age 3,4 . Therefore, it is important for individuals who require ART treatment to receive it at an early age, if possible.…”