玻璃化冻融人卵裂期胚胎移植结局的影响因素分析

目的:探讨玻璃化冻融人第3天卵裂期胚胎移植结局的影响因素。方法:回顾分析977例1301个冻融胚胎移植周期,根据患者年龄、新鲜周期结局、移植胚胎质量等因素分组,比较各分组的胚胎植入率、临床妊娠率。结果:复苏3598个胚胎,存活3462个。周期临床妊娠率24.1%,出生婴儿291个。新鲜周期结局、移植胚胎质量组间胚胎着床率、临床妊娠率的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。子宫内膜准备方案、胚胎的复苏程度组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不同年龄组相同不孕年限亚组间的胚胎着床率、临床妊娠率的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。移植日子宫内膜厚度>12.0mm组与其他两组相比,胚胎着床率、临床妊娠率较高(P<0.05);不同FET次数组间,1次组的胚胎着床率、临床妊娠率明显高于其他两组(P<0.01)。非条件逐步logistic回归分析表明年龄(P<0.01,OR=0.43)、FET次数(2次组P<0.01,OR=0.30;3次组P<0.01,OR=0.19)、新鲜周期结局(P<0.01,OR=9.01)、移植胚胎质量(P<0.01,OR=3.52)与移植结局相关。结论:年龄、新鲜周期结局、移植胚胎质量等是影响冻融胚胎移植结局的重要因素。     

薄型子宫内膜新鲜胚胎和冻融胚胎移植妊娠结局比较

目的探讨在薄型子宫内膜患者中新鲜胚胎移植与冻融胚胎移植(FET)妊娠结局的差异。方法回顾性分析接受体外受精/卵胞质内单精子显微注射-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)治疗采用长方案胚胎移植h CG注射日与冻融周期胚胎移植内膜转化日的内膜厚度≤7 mm的患者共592个周期的临床资料。将移植周期按胚胎是否冻融分为新鲜胚胎移植组(n=173)和FET组(n=419)。比较组间的胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率、流产率、多胎率和异位妊娠率有无差异。结果新鲜胚胎移植组患者平均移植胚胎(2.1±0.4)枚,与FET组患者平均移植胚胎(2.1±0.5)枚比较,组间有统计学差异(P0.05);按照移植胚胎数分为3个亚组,新鲜胚胎移植组1枚胚胎者,妊娠率为7.7%,2枚者为30.2%,3枚者为23.8%;FET组1枚胚胎者15.6%,2枚者为34.9%,3枚者为41.6%,新鲜胚胎移植组与FET组间差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。组间着床率、流产率、异位妊娠率等结果也均无统计学差异(P0.05)。移植3枚胚胎新鲜组多胎率(80.0%)高于FET组(29.7%)(P0.05)。新鲜胚胎移植组多胎率3个亚组间有统计学差异(P0.05),FET组妊娠率和流产率3个亚组间均有统计学差异(P0.05)。将移植胚胎数作为协变量,纳入Logistics回归模型对结果变量进行分析,说明周期类型与临床妊娠率间无显著相关性(OR=0.726,95%CI=0.504~1.104)。结论子宫内膜厚度≤7 mm的薄型内膜患者新鲜胚胎移植和FET妊娠结局相似,选择新鲜周期移植不影响妊娠结局并可缩短治疗周期,降低总费用。     

玻璃化冻融和程序化冻融胚胎移植的妊娠结局比较

目的:探讨移植玻璃化冻融胚胎的妊娠结局。方法:对300个玻璃化冻融移植周期(共移植720枚胚胎)和151个程序化冻融移植周期(共移植333个胚胎)进行回顾性分析,比较它们的妊娠结局。结果:玻璃化组和程序化组的胚胎复苏率分别为91.60%和76.56%(P<0.01);平均移植胚胎数分别为2.4枚和2.2枚(P>0.05),胚胎种植率分别为19.72%和14.41%(P<0.05);周期临床妊娠率分别为36.33%和25.83%(P<0.05),多胎分娩率分别为24.71%和6.25%(P<0.01),早产率为32.08%和14.29%(P<0.01)。结论:玻璃化冷冻胚胎具有更好的复苏和着床能力,是现阶段有效和相对安全的胚胎冷冻方式。     

激光辅助孵化在冻融胚胎移植中的临床研究

目的:探讨激光辅助孵化对冻融胚胎移植周期中胚胎种植率的影响。方法:分析192个冻融胚胎移植周期,其中行激光辅助孵化后移植86个周期(激光组),常规冻融胚胎移植106个周期(常规组),比较二组患者临床妊娠率和胚胎种植率。结果:激光组的临床妊娠率为31.4%,与常规组的23.6%比较,无统计学差异(P>0.05);胚胎种植率为19.2%,显著高于常规组的12.0%(P<0.05);特别当透明带厚度≥17mm时,激光组胚胎种植率显著高于常规组(P<0.05)。结论:在冻融胚胎移植前对透明带厚度≥17mm的胚胎行激光辅助孵化有助于提高胚胎种植率。     

胚胎移植12 491个周期的临床效果及影响因素分析

目的 探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)治疗不孕的临床效果及其影响因素.方法 回顾性分析北京大学第三医院2005至2007年间,12 491个胚胎移植周期(其中6832个周期为新鲜胚胎移植周期,5659个周期为冻融胚胎移植周期)的临床资料,对影响妊娠结局的因素进行单因素和多因素分析.结果 新鲜胚胎移植周期临床妊娠率为32.99%(2254/6832),活产率为25.75%(1394/5413),早期流产率为9.36%(211/2254),围产儿出生缺陷率为1.45%(25/1722).年轻(20～24岁)患者新鲜胚胎移植周期临床妊娠率高达42.25%(60/142).单纯男方因素不孕患者的临床妊娠率(40.10%,476/1187)明显高于单纯女性因素不孕患者(31.55%,1168/3702)和双方因素不孕患者(31.39%,610/1943);首次接受IVF-ET治疗者的临床妊娠率(34.63%,1831/5287)高于多次接受IVF-ET治疗者;常用的4种IVF-ET超促排卵(COH)治疗方案中,接受促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)超长方案和长方案治疗者临床妊娠率分别为51.72%(30/58)和36.88%(489/1326),明显高于GnRH-a短方案(32.05%,1703/5313)和促性腺激素释放激素拮抗剂(GnRH-ant)方案(22.12%,23/104),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).多因素logistic分析证实,年龄、获卵数和COH治疗周期数对IVF-ET治疗后妊娠结局的影响有统计学意义,而年龄是最主要的影响因素.治疗过程中,中重度卵巢过度刺激综合征(OHSS)的发生率为3.68%(321/8720),异位妊娠率为6.12%(138/2254),早期流产率为9.36%(211/2254).冻融胚胎移植周期临床妊娠率(38.08%,2155/5659),高于新鲜胚胎移植周期(32.99%,2254/6832),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);多胎妊娠率为27.70%(597/2155),早期流产率为8.96%(193/2155),异位妊娠率为2.23%(48/2155).结论 IVF-ET用于不孕症治疗,临床妊娠率和活产率高,是一种安全、有效的助孕治疗方法;年龄、卵巢反应性是影响治疗结局的主要因素;冻融胚胎移植周期临床妊娠率与新鲜胚胎移植周期比较,无明显差异,并可有效提高单次促排卵周期的累计妊娠率.     

降调节联合人工周期方案在冻融胚胎移植周期中的应用

目的:探讨降调节联合人工周期方案对冻融胚胎移植助孕周期临床妊娠结局的影响。方法:收集到行冻融胚胎移植助孕治疗的297个周期,按不同内膜准备方案分组,133例降调节联合人工周期为降调节组,164例行单纯人工周期为人工周期组进行比较分析,同时对部分2种方案均实施过的同一患者进行自身对照分析,并对影响降调节联合人工周期的妊娠结局进行多因素回归分析。结果:患者的年龄、不孕年限、基础FSH、体质量指数(BMI)、内膜厚度、移植胚胎数、优质胚胎数、优质胚胎率、多胎率、异位妊娠率、早期流产率组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。降调节组的临床妊娠率、胚胎着床率分别为42.11%(56/133)、24.32%(81/333),显著高于人工周期组的29.88%(49/164)、13.83%(52/376),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。自身对照分析显示患者的内膜厚度、优质胚胎率均无统计学差异(P>0.05),但降调节联合人工周期的临床妊娠率[52.17%(24/46)]显著高于单纯人工周期的[13.04%(6/46)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。另外,Logistic回归分析显示,优质胚胎数、手术史可影响妊娠结局。结论:在临床上,对于既往有盆腔手术史、多次冻融周期助孕失败史的患者,可试行降调节联合人工周期方案进行助孕。     

囊胚和卵裂期胚胎的早期胚胎流产率比较

目的:探讨辅助生殖技术中囊胚培养是否能够筛选出更加具有发育潜能的胚胎,降低胚胎的早期流产率。方法:回顾性分析因单纯输卵管因素或/及男性因素接受囊胚期与第3日卵裂期胚胎移植获得妊娠后患者的流产率。总周期数1 673个,其中新鲜胚胎移植周期(fresh embryotransfer)932个(囊胚移植139个周期,卵裂期胚胎移植793个周期),冻融胚胎移植周期(frozen-thawed embryo transfer)741个(囊胚移植211个周期,卵裂期胚胎移植530个周期)。结果:Logistic回归分析表明无论新鲜胚胎移植组还是冻融胚胎移植组,囊胚期胚胎受孕后的早期胚胎流产率均低于第3日的卵裂期胚胎,并且囊胚移植和卵裂期胚胎移植的流产率均与妇女年龄呈正相关。结论:无论新鲜胚胎移植组还是冻融胚胎移植组,囊胚移植均比第3日卵裂期胚胎移植流产风险降低。年龄仍是影响移植后妊娠早期流产的重要因素。     

影响冷冻胚胎移植妊娠率相关因素分析

目的: 探讨影响冷冻胚胎移植妊娠率的相关因素。 方法: 对129个接受冷冻胚胎移植患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果: 129个冷冻胚胎移植周期,临床妊娠率27.1%,胚胎种植率12.8%;三种不同移植方案、常规体外受精(IVF)、单精子卵母细胞浆内注射(ICSI)所冻存的胚胎移植临床妊娠率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。<30、30~34、35~44岁三个年龄组胚胎种植率有显著差异(P<0.05);临床妊娠率以30~34岁组为最高(38.6%),35~44岁组明显下降(13.6%),三年龄组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。移植≥2个胚胎的子宫内膜厚度、平均移植胚胎数、累积胚胎评分、累积胚胎评分/胚胎移植数以及至少移植有1个4-细胞I级胚胎者,妊娠组与非妊娠组均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。 结论:患者的年龄、子宫内膜厚度、移植胚胎数目、胚胎形态及生长速率是影响冷冻胚胎移植妊娠率的重要因素。     

自然周期冻融胚胎移植日雌二醇水平对妊娠结局的影响

目的探讨冻融胚胎移植时自然周期内膜准备中胚胎移植日雌二醇(E2)水平对妊娠结局的影响。方法选择2010年9月至2011年10月在沈阳市妇婴医院生殖中心进行冻融胚胎移植周期中,以自然周期进行内膜准备的患者110例,进行130个周期冻融胚胎移植。按移植日雌二醇水平分为4组:A组:E2≤183.5pmol/L14周期;B组:E2>183.5pmol/L,≤367.0pmol/L34周期;C组:E2>367.0pmol/L,≤734.0pmol/L74周期;D组:E2>734.0pmol/L8周期。对各组的年龄、子宫内膜厚度、移植胚胎数、临床妊娠率、胚胎种植率及流产率进行比较。结果各组年龄、子宫内膜厚度、移植胚胎数及流产率比较差异均无统计学意义。C组临床妊娠率和种植率分别为62.2%和30.9%,明显高于A组(42.9%,23.5%)和B组(52.9%,28.6%),P<0.05。B组临床妊娠率和种植率与A组比较有增高趋势,但差异无统计学意义,P>0.05。D组临床妊娠率为25.0%(2/8),胚胎种植率为10.0%(2/20)。D组因例数较少未进行统计学比较。结论在冻融胚胎移植周期中,以自然周期进行内膜准备时,胚胎移植日雌二醇水平过低或过高都影响临床妊娠率及胚胎种植率。     

行体外受精-胚胎移植的40岁以上妇女妊娠结局分析

目的 探讨行体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)40岁以上妇女的结局及其影响因素.方法 采用回顾性分析方法,收集2001年3月至2006年3月于广东省妇幼保健院行IVF-ET治疗不孕症的40岁以上妇女82例,共93个周期,从中找出不同年龄妇女进行IVF-ET的临床结局及其影响因素.结果 82例患者共行93个超促排卵周期,其中取消周期11个,取消率11.83%;行新鲜胚胎移植74个周期,临床妊娠率25.68%,着床率10.87%,流产率36.4%;40岁、41岁、42岁、43岁及以上组临床妊娠率分别为32.14%、36.36%、25.00%和0;前3组的流产率分别为44.44%、25.00%和50.00%;与短方案组比较,长方案组促性腺激素(Gn)刺激时间、用量明显增多,获胚胎数和移植胚胎数更多(P＜0.05),但两组临床妊娠率、着床率和流产率差异并无显著意义;42岁及以下妇女当获卵数超过4个,妊娠率明显增加.结论 40岁以上妇女行IVF-ET妊娠率和着床率均明显降低,并且流产率升高.对于40岁以上妇女,一定数量的卵子可能提高IVF成功率.     

Impact of assisted hatching on fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles: a prospective, randomized study

The aim of this study was to determine if assisted hatching (AH) could improve the rates of pregnancy and implantation for both fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. A total of 760 fresh embryo transfer cycles and 200 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were randomly assigned to either the treatment group (AH) or the control group (no AH). Zona thinning by laser was performed just before embryo transfer. In fresh embryo transfer cycles, the AH group and control group results were comparable. There were no significant differences in the rates of positive human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG; 47.5 versus 48.8%), clinical pregnancy (42.4 versus 42.6%), or implantation (26.3 versus 25.2%) between the two groups. However, in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, the rates of positive HCG (32.0 versus 17.0%), clinical pregnancy (25.0 versus 14.0%) and implantation (16.7 versus 7.3%) were significantly greater in the AH group than in the control group (P <: 0.05). The results of this investigation show that in the fresh embryo transfer cycles, laser-assisted hatching by zona thinning has no impact on the rates of positive HCG, clinical pregnancy and implantation, whereas in frozen-thawed cycles, assisted hatching by zona thinning significantly increases all three of these rates.     

减少移植胚胎数量对冻融胚胎移植结局的影响

目的 探讨年龄<35岁妇女,减少冻融胚胎移植数量对移植结局的影响.方法 77例年龄<35岁患者共进行冻融胚胎移植90个周期,采用慢速冷冻快速复苏法对胚胎进行冷冻及解冻,移植胚胎数量分别为2个胚胎(48个周期)和3个胚胎(42个周期),比较其移植结局,包括临床妊娠率、胚胎植入率和多胎妊娠率等.结果 移植2个胚胎患者的胚胎复苏存活率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、胚胎植入率和多胎妊娠率分别为88.9%、89.6%、37.5%、26.0%、38.9%,移植3个胚胎患者分别为88.1%、81.0%、42.9%、18.3%、16.7%;两者间分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).但移植2个胚胎者中无三胎妊娠发生,而移植3个胚胎者中发生2次三胎妊娠.结论 冻融胚胎移植周期中,如果胚胎质量良好,年龄<35岁妇女移植胚胎数量从3个减少至2个,并不会明显降低临床妊娠率,同时可减少三胎妊娠的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To study the impact on pregnant outcome of reducing the number of embryos transferred from three to two in women at age less than 35 who received frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Methods The analysis was performed on 90 FET cycles (77 infertile couples,less than 35 years old) with slow-freezing/rapid-thawing method, including 48 cycles with two embryos transferred and 42 cycles with three embryos transferred. The embryo survival rate, high quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and multiple pregnancies rate were analyzed. Results No significant differences in embryo survival rate (88.9% versus 88.1%), high quality embryo rate (89.6% versus 81.0%), clinical pregnancy rate (37.5% versus 42.9%), implantation rate (26.0% versus 18.3%) and multiple pregnancy rate (38.9% versus 16.7%) were observed between two and three embryos transferred group (all P > 0.05). However, there were 2 triple pregnancies in three embryos transferred group while none in two embryos transferred group. Conclusion Reducing the number of high quality embryos transferred from three to two in women at age of less than 35 years old who received FET,could decrease the incidence of triple pregnancy and keep the similar clinical pregnancy rate.     

Treatment with piroxicam before embryo transfer increases the pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of beta-cyclodextrin piroxicam treatment for priming of the uterus on the pregnancy outcome of IVF-embryo transfer (ET) programs. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical study. SETTING: Large urban medical center. PATIENT(S): One hundred eighty-eight consecutive cycles of fresh IVF-ET and 78 cycles of frozen-thawed ET. The patients underwent IVF because of tubal, male infertility, unexplained, or endometriosis factors. They were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. INTERVENTION(S): In the treatment group, 94 cycles in fresh ET and 39 cycles in frozen-thawed ET the patients received an oral dose of 10 mg of piroxicam. In the control group, the same number cycles corresponding to the treatment group were treated with placebo. Both groups started piroxicam or placebo treatment 1-2 hours before ET. Patients and staff were blinded to the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation rate (IR) and pregnancy rate (PR). RESULT(S): Piroxicam increased significantly IR (18.7%) and PR (46.8%) compared to the control group (8.6% and 27.6%, respectively) in fresh cycles. With the exception of an unexplained factor, patients with the tubal, male infertility, or endometriosis factor had significantly higher PR in the treatment group compared to the control group. The beneficial effect of piroxicam was found in patients less than 40 years old, but was not found in patients more than 40 years. In frozen-thawed cycles, there were statistically significant differences between the treatment group and the control group in IR (9.4% vs. 2.3%) and PR (25.6% vs. 7.7%), respectively. CONCLUSION(S): Our study showed that piroxicam increases IR and PR after IVF-ET in both fresh and frozen-thawed ET cycles. The beneficial effect seems to be more remarkable in patients less than 40 years old with tubal, male infertility, or endometriosis factors. These results suggest that piroxicam treatment before ET is very effective in the priming of a uterus suitable for embryo implantation. This is the first study to investigate the possible consequence of piroxicam for improving the PR after IVF-ET.     

冻融胚胎移植中辅助孵化对妊娠结局及安全性的影响

目的探讨在玻璃化冻融胚胎移植(FET)中,激光辅助孵化(AH)操作后对妊娠结局及母儿安全性的影响。方法回顾性分析2014年1月—2015年10月接受体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)失败后行FET患者的临床资料,根据患者年龄进行分组后比较AH操作后妊娠结局及母儿并发症的发生情况。结果在正常年龄组(38岁)的患者中,未行AH操作的对照组中胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率、活产率、多胎率均高于AH组,流产率低于AH组,并且差异有统计学意义(P0.05);在高龄(≥38岁)患者中,AH组的胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率较对照组有增高的趋势(P0.05);分娩周期中,AH组与对照组早产率、死胎率、母体并发症、新生儿男女比例、胎龄、出生体质量、新生儿缺陷率等均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论对于正常年龄患者,卵裂期FET时不建议行AH操作;对于高龄患者,AH操作可提高胚胎种植率及临床妊娠率,但不能明显改善其妊娠结局;AH对母儿安全暂无不良影响。     

冻融胚胎移植术用于补救卵胞浆内单精子注射治疗周期的临床价值

目的：探讨冻融胚胎移植在补救卵胞浆内单精子注射（ICSI）治疗周期中的临床价值。方法：回顾分析常规体外受精完全失败的306个周期,根据补救ICSI的时间不同分为6～8h补救ICSI组（A组）和18～20h补救ICSI组（B组）,其中行新鲜胚胎移植且有胚胎冷冻的分别记为AI组（n=108）和BI组（n=51）,随后行冻融胚胎移植的分别记为AⅡ组（n：74）和BⅡ组（n=46）,观察各组的妊娠结局。结果：A组正常受精率、卵裂率、优质胚胎率和临床妊娠率均明显高于B组（P〈0．05）;BⅡ组临床妊娠率和胚胎种植率明显高于BI组（32．61％VS11．76％,15．08％VS5．04％,P〈0．05）;AII组临床妊娠率和胚胎种植率较AI组高（44．59％VS34．26％,21．86％VS19．40％）,但无明显的统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论：合理的补救时间是影响补救ICSI结局的关键因素,进一步的冻融胚胎移植可以改善补救ICSI治疗周期的妊娠结局。     

全部胚胎冷冻对不同促排卵方案患者临床应用的探讨

目的分析不同超促排卵方案新鲜胚胎移植和冻融胚胎移植的临床妊娠结局,探讨全部胚胎冷冻技术在临床应用中的价值。方法回顾性分析行胚胎移植的525个周期患者的临床资料,其中253个周期为新鲜胚胎移植周期,272个周期为同期的复苏胚胎移植周期。纳入的促排卵方案包括促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)长方案组(A组)和GnRH-a短方案组(B组)。分别比较两组中新鲜胚胎移植和冻融胚胎移植(FET)的妊娠结局,以及新鲜胚胎移植周期和复苏胚胎移植周期中2种方案妊娠结局。结果 A组中,新鲜胚胎移植周期(A1组)和FET周期(A2组)的临床妊娠率分别为45.95%和47.71%(P0.05);B组中,新鲜胚胎移植周期(B1组)和FET(B2组)的临床妊娠率分别为27.94%和46.30%(P0.05);A1组和B1组的受精率和可用胚胎率组间无统计学差异(P0.05),A组的平均获卵数、临床妊娠率和胚胎种植率显著高于B组(P0.05);A2组和B2组的临床妊娠率和胚胎种植率均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论 FET并不能显著改善长方案患者的临床妊娠结局,但可显著提高短方案组的临床妊娠率,提示短方案患者可考虑采用全部胚胎冷冻。     

Cumulative pregnancy rates after transfer of fresh and thawed embryos

Frozen-thawed embryo transfer is an effective procedure that allows further possibilities of pregnancy in addition to those obtained after the fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF). In our follow-up study we analysed all fresh embryo transfer procedures and every frozen-thawed embryo transfer performed from January 2000 to December 2001 evaluating the cumulative pregnancy rates. The study population was divided into two groups according to the female age: <38 years (group I) and >38 years (group II). All the best embryos were chosen for transfer and all the supernumerary good quality embryos were cryopreserved on the day of transfer. The embryos were then thawed and manipulated using a new technique. In group I, 527 patients (619 cycles) underwent fresh embryo transfer and in 232 of them (238 cycles) the embryos were frozen (44% per patients and 38.4% per cycle). In group II, 156 patients (193 cycles) underwent fresh embryo transfer and in 14 of them (15 cycles) the embryos were frozen (9% per patient and 7.8% per cycle). The pregnancy rate of group I patients that had their supernumerary embryos frozen (232 patients and 238 cycles) was 47.4% per cycle and 48.7% per patient whereas in the same population of group II patients (14 patients and 15 cycles) the clinical pregnancy rate was 35.7% per cycle and 38.5% per patients. The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate after transfer of fresh and thawed embryos was: group I, 74% per cycle and 76% per patients; group II, 42.8% per cycle and 46.1% per patient. Frozen-thawed embryo transfer is a cost-effective practice.     

Prospective evaluation of elective single-embryo transfer versus double-embryo transfer following in vitro fertilization: a two-year French hospital experience

OBJECTIVE: Multiple embryo transfer is responsible for a high rate of multiple pregnancies (ICSI), with subsequent risks of premature birth and perinatal death. This prospective non randomized study aimed to assess the ability of an elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) policy to reduce the twin pregnancy rate, compared to a double embryo transfer (DET) approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2005 and May 2006, 180 eligible women were proposed to benefit from an eSET transfer rather than a DET. Inclusion criteria were (i) age less than 37 years old; (ii) at least two good quality embryos available (three to five cells at day 2 or six to nine cells at day 3; less than 20% fragmentation and the absence of multinucleates blastomeres), after IVF or ICSI and (iii) no more than one previous failed treatment cycle. Outcome analysis included cycles with frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). RESULTS: According to patients' decision, 107 and 73 women had an eSET (59.4%) and a DET (40.6%) respectively. No differences were found between eSET and DET groups regarding demographics and biologicals parameters. The clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per transfer was 43.9% in eSET group and 57.5% in DET group (p=0.07). The twin pregnancy rates were 0 and 14.3%, in eSET and DET groups, respectively (p=0.007). The cumulative PR per patient, including the outcome of performed FET cycles, was 63.6% in eSET group and 61.6% in DET group. In this case, the cumulative twin pregnancy rates were 2.9 and 15.6% in eSET and DET groups, respectively (p=0.02). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our data show that in a selected population of women, transferring one fresh embryo and then, if required, one or two frozen-thawed embryos significantly reduces the twin pregnancy rate without decreasing the overall pregnancy rate. This study supports the policy of eSET in this subgroup of patients.