Is the IVF Success Rate at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University High? Analysis of Real Data and Influencing Factors

===== Opening: Direct Answer =====

The Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (FAH-SYSU) is one of the earliest institutions in South China to carry out assisted reproductive technology. Its IVF success rate ranks among the top tier in China. According to publicly released data from the center and industry consensus, the overall clinical pregnancy rate is stable at 55%–60%, and for patients under 35, it can reach over 60%. However, it must be clarified: the success rate is not a fixed value but is closely related to multiple factors such as patient age, ovarian reserve function, cause of infertility, and embryo quality.

===== 1. Differences by Age Group =====

I. Differences in Success Rates by Age Group

Age is the most critical variable affecting IVF success rates. Egg quality declines with age, directly determining the embryo's euploidy rate and implantation ability. The following data are based on statistics from major domestic reproductive centers (including FAH-SYSU):

The above data are population statistics. Individual situations need to be comprehensively assessed in conjunction with ovarian reserve indicators. The Reproductive Center of FAH-SYSU has accumulated considerable experience in complex advanced-age cases, but physiological laws cannot be reversed, and age remains the primary factor.

===== 2. What Doctors Think =====

II. How Reproductive Doctors Objectively Evaluate "Success Rate"

As reproductive doctors, we focus more on individualized prognosis in clinical practice rather than the center's average data. For a specific patient, the following three dimensions determine the actual success rate:

• Ovarian Reserve Function: AMH, Antral Follicle Count (AFC), basal FSH. The better the reserve, the higher the number of eggs retrieved and the probability of forming transferable embryos.
• Uterine Environment: Endometrial thickness, morphology, presence of polyps/adhesions/fluid, and whether there is adenomyosis or endometriosis.
• Sperm Factors: The impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on embryo developmental potential is often overlooked.

When formulating a plan, doctors integrate these indicators to provide an individualized range of success probability, not an absolute number. This is why patients at the same hospital can have vastly different perceptions of success rates.

===== 3. Interpretation of Key Indicators =====

III. Interpretation of Key Examination Indicators

Before undergoing IVF at FAH-SYSU, doctors will arrange a complete fertility assessment. The following are the most core indicators and their clinical significance:

If AMH is below 0.5 ng/mL, or AFC <5, it indicates severely diminished ovarian reserve. In such cases, even at a top-tier center like FAH-SYSU, the number of eggs retrieved may be very limited, and patients need to set realistic expectations.

===== 4. Most Overlooked Details =====

IV. Most Overlooked Details When Evaluating Success Rates

Patients often fall into several pitfalls when researching success rates. The most common are:

• Confusion of Statistical Terms: "Clinical pregnancy rate" (seeing a gestational sac on ultrasound) ≠ "live birth rate" (ultimately delivering a live baby). The latter is the more meaningful indicator. Some centers may advertise the former.
• Failure to Stratify by Age: An average value that does not differentiate by age is almost meaningless for older patients.
• Ignoring Cumulative Pregnancy Rate: One egg retrieval may yield multiple embryos. The cumulative live birth rate after sequential transfers is more important than the success rate of a single transfer.
• Patient Selection Bias: Centers that accept more complex cases may have lower overall data than those treating mainly mild cases, but this does not reflect lower technical skill.

Therefore, when referencing success rate data from FAH-SYSU, it is recommended to focus on the center's data stratified by age and cause of infertility, and to ask for the "cumulative live birth rate per egg retrieval cycle" rather than just the "pregnancy rate per transfer cycle."

===== 5. Differences Between Hospitals =====

V. Comparison Between FAH-SYSU and Other Hospitals

In the domestic assisted reproduction field, FAH-SYSU is in the top tier alongside Peking University Third Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, and CITIC Xiangya. Its core advantages include:

• Ability to Handle Complex Cases: Systematic diagnostic and treatment pathways for recurrent implantation failure, poor ovarian response, endometriosis, and other complex conditions.
• Laboratory Quality Control System: Embryology lab hardware, culture medium quality control, and embryologist experience are all at a top domestic level.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Close cooperation between reproductive medicine and gynecology, endocrinology, andrology, genetic counseling, etc., suitable for patients with concurrent diseases.

However, it must be objectively pointed out: for standard indication patients (e.g., simple tubal factor, mild to moderate male oligoasthenospermia), the success rates of many tertiary hospitals in China are very similar. The choice of center has little impact on the final outcome. The key lies in convenience of access, quality of cycle management, and adequacy of doctor-patient communication.

===== 6. Actual Process =====

VI. The Actual Process of IVF at FAH-SYSU

A complete cycle usually takes 2–3 months (including preoperative preparation). The specific steps are as follows:

If usable frozen embryos are available, subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) can be performed, which is simpler and does not require another ovarian stimulation cycle.

===== 7. Factors Affecting Cost =====

VII. Cost Composition and Influencing Factors

The cost of completing one IVF cycle at FAH-SYSU is roughly 30,000–50,000 RMB. Specific differences arise from the following aspects:

• Ovarian Stimulation Medications: Imported drugs (e.g., Gonal-f, Pergoveris) are 30%–50% more expensive than domestic ones but offer higher purity and stability.
• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): If chromosomal screening is performed, an additional 10,000–20,000 RMB is added.
• Frozen Embryo Transfer: If no fresh transfer occurs or it fails, a frozen-thawed cycle requires an additional 8,000–12,000 RMB for thawing and transfer.
• Repeat Cycles: One egg retrieval may not be sufficient for a live birth; cumulative costs depend on the actual number of cycles.

Cost is a concern for many patients, but it must be clear: price should not be the sole basis for choosing a hospital; success rate and standardization of treatment are core. As a public tertiary hospital, FAH-SYSU strictly follows the pricing regulations set by the Price Bureau, with no hidden costs.

===== 8. Management of Special Situations =====

VIII. Management and Advice for Special Situations

The following three types of situations have relatively mature management strategies at FAH-SYSU:

• Recurrent Implantation Failure: Hysteroscopy to rule out endometrial pathology, endometrial microbiome testing, immune factor screening (thyroid antibodies, NK cell activity, etc.), and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) are recommended.
• Poor Ovarian Response (POR): Doctors may use mild stimulation or natural cycle protocols, supplemented with growth hormone pretreatment, aiming to obtain a few but higher quality eggs.
• Severe Male Factor (Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia): Requires ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and testicular/epididymal sperm aspiration techniques. The andrology team at FAH-SYSU is highly experienced in male infertility.

These complex situations are precisely where large comprehensive hospitals like FAH-SYSU excel. However, patients need to be mentally prepared for longer cycles, higher costs, and success rates lower than average.

===== 9. Observations from Practitioners =====

IX. Observations from Practitioners: What Factors Are Most Overestimated or Underestimated

In clinical practice, I find that patient expectations regarding success rates often fall into two extremes:

• Overestimated Factors: "Hospital reputation" and "doctor reputation." In reality, for routine cases, the procedures and protocols across all正规 reproductive centers are highly standardized. Differences in success rates mainly stem from the patient's own conditions, not the hospital brand.
• Underestimated Factors: "Lifestyle interventions" and "psychological state." BMI >28 kg/m², smoking, staying up late, and high stress levels all reduce success rates, and these are factors patients can change through their own efforts.

The Reproductive Center of FAH-SYSU has dedicated nutrition and psychological counseling clinics. It is recommended that patients start weight management, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and maintain a regular routine 1–3 months before starting the cycle. This is more practically meaningful than simply agonizing over "which hospital has a higher success rate."

===== Conclusion: Doctor's Advice =====