Activin and inhibin A in predicting outcome of pregnancies of unknown location after ART

The aim was to investigate the predictive value of a single serum determination of activin A and inhibin A for classifying pregnancies of unknown location (PUL) after IVF cycles in both own fresh and donated oocytes. A case–control study conducted in a University-affiliated IVF center. Pregnancy outcomes after own fresh oocytes included 12 failing PUL, 12 ectopic pregnancies (EP) and a control group of 24 singleton intrauterine pregnancies (IUP). The same scheme was followed for the oocyte donation recipients. Inhibin A, activin A, β-hCG and Progesterone (P) were determined. In the own fresh oocytes IVF, the AUC for predicting EP vs. f failing PUL were: Activin A: 0.458 and Inhibin A: 0.60. In the oocyte donation cycles, the AUC for predicting EP were: Activin A: 0.521 and Inhibin A: 0.906. Our result cannot be extrapolated to spontaneously conceived pregnancies, since values of some of these biomarkers are higher after induced ovulation compared with natural cycle. It will be necessary to continue the search of a biomarker which accurately predict pregnancy evolution.