One Plus One is Better than Two: An Approach Towards a Single Blastocyst Transfer Policy for All IVF Patients / Um mais um é melhor que dois: Uma abordagem pela prática da transferência de embrião único para todos os pacientes de FIV

Abstract Objective It is known that the single embryo transfer (SET) is the best choice to reduce multiples and associated risks. The practice of cryopreserving all embryos for posterior transfer has been increasingly performed for in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients at the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. However, its widespread practice is still controverse. The aim of this study was to evaluate how effective is the transfer of two sequential SET procedures compared with a double embryo transfer (DET) in freeze-only cycles. Methods This retrospective study reviewed 5,156 IVF cycles performed between 2011 and 2019, and 506 cycles using own oocytes and freeze-only policy with subsequent elective frozen-thawed embryo transfers (eFET) were selected for this study. Cycles having elective SET (eSET, n = 209) comprised our study group and as control group we included cycles performed with elective DET (eDET, n = 291). In the eSET group, 57 couples who had failed in the 1st eSET had a 2nd eFET, and the estimated cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate was calculated and compared with eDET. Results After the 1st eFET, the ongoing pregnancy rates were similar between groups (eSET: 35.4% versus eDET: 38.5%; p =0.497), but the estimated cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate after a 2nd eFET in the eSET group (eSET + SET) was significantly higher (48.8%) than in the eDET group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the eSET +SET group had a 2.7% rate of multiple gestations, which is significantly lower than the eDET group, with a 30.4% rate (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study showed the association of freeze-only strategy with until up to two consecutive frozen-thawed eSETs resulted in higher success rates than a frozenthawed DET, while drastically reducing the rate of multiple pregnancies.

Resumo Objetivo Sabe-se que a transferência de embrião único (SET) é a melhor escolha para reduzir as gestações múltiplas e riscos associados. A prática da criopreservação de todos os embriões para transferência posterior tem sido cada vez mais utilizada para fertilização in vitro (FIV), em especial quando há risco de síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana ou realização de teste genético pré-implantacional. Entretanto, sua utilização disseminada ainda é controversa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de duas SET sequenciais em comparação com uma transferência de embrião dupla (DET) em ciclos de FIV onde todos os embriões foram criopreservados. Métodos Neste estudo retrospectivo foram revisados 5.156 ciclos de FIV realizados entre 2011 e 2019, e 506 ciclos usando oócitos próprios e criopreservação de todos os embriões com transferências eletivas subsequentes de embriões descongelados, foram selecionados para este estudo. Ciclos com transferência eletiva de embrião único (eSET, n = 209) compuseram nosso grupo de estudo e como grupo de controle incluímos os ciclos com transferência eletiva de dois embriões (eDET, n = 291). No grupo eSET, 57 casais que falharam na 1ª tentativa de eSET tiveram uma 2ª eFET e a taxa de gravidez em curso cumulativa foi estimada para o grupo eSET e comparada com o grupo eDET. Resultados Após a 1ª eFET, as taxas de gravidez em curso foram semelhantes entre os grupos (eSET: 35,4% versus eDET: 38,5%; p = 0,497), mas a taxa de gravidez em curso cumulativa estimada após a 2ª eFET no grupo eSET (eSET + SET) foi significativamente maior (48,8%) do que no grupo eDET (p <0,001). Além disso, as taxas de gestação múltipla foram expressivamente inferiores no grupo eSET + SET (2,7%) quando comparado ao grupo eDET (30,4%; p < 0,001). Conclusão Nosso estudo mostrou que a associação das estratégias de congelamento de todos os embriões com até duas eSETs sequenciais resultou em maiores taxas de sucesso do que uma DET com embriões descongelados, além de reduzir drasticamente a ocorrência de gestações múltiplas.

Modelo de impacto orçamentário da aplicação do single embryo transfer consecutivo comparado com o double embryo transfer em tratamentos de fertilização in vitro no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar / Budget impact model of the use of consecutive single embryo transfers compared to double embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization procedures in the Brazilian Private Healthcare System

Objetivo: Estimar o impacto orçamentário em cinco anos da incorporação da técnica de SET (single embryo transfer) sequencial no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro (SSSB). Métodos: Foram consideradas taxas de nascidos vivos de 41% e de gemelaridade de 2% e 30% para SET e DET (double transfer embryo), respectivamente. Os custos dos procedimentos foram, em sua maioria, obtidos das tabelas SIMPRO, CBHPM e CMED. Para a estimativa da população elegível, foram consideradas mulheres de 20 a 35 anos registradas no Datasus e taxas de infertilidade e de uso de fertilização in vitro (FIV) da literatura. Estimou-se em 20% e 80% o uso de SET sequencial e DET, respectivamente, com incorporação da primeira em 45%, 50%, 55%, 65% e 75% dos casos nos cinco anos subsequentes. Resultados: Considerando cenários com reembolso de um a dois ciclos de SET sequencial e inclusão ou não do valor dos medicamentos, o impacto orçamentário em cinco anos seria entre R$ 10.231.387 e R$ 16.123.874 em operadoras de grande porte, R$ 1.054.174 e R$ 1.661.297 em operadoras de médio porte e R$ 173.700 e R$ 273.738 em operadoras de pequeno porte. Em cenário com aumento progressivo do uso de SET sequencial sem alteração no modelo de reembolso atual, foi estimada economia de R$ 59.319.276 para o SSSB em cinco anos. Conclusões: O uso de SET sequencial (vs. DET) em procedimentos de FIV é potencialmente menos oneroso para o SSSB referente a custos de pré-natal, parto e complicações. Em cenário de incorporação progressiva, o custo incremental foi estimado em R$ 8-13 mil/paciente.

Objective: To estimate the five-year budget impact of incorporating the sequential single embryo transfer (SET) technique into the Brazilian Supplementary Healthcare System (BSHS). Methods: Live birth rates of 41% and multiple pregnancy rates of 2% and 30% were considered for SET and DET (double transfer embryo), respectively. The costs of the procedures were mostly obtained from e SIMPRO, CBHPM and CMED tables. To estimate the eligible population, we considered women aged 20-35 years registered in DATASUS, and infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates from the literature. The use of sequential SET and DET was estimated as 20% and 80%, respectively, with incorporation of the first in 45%, 50%, 55%, 65% and 75% of cases in the subsequent five years. Results: Considering scenarios with reimbursement of 1 to 2 cycles of sequential SET and inclusion or not of the drugs in the reimbursement, the budget impact in five years would be between BRL 10,231,387-16,123,874 in large operators, BRL 1,054,174-1,661,297 in midsize operators and BRL 173,700-273,738 in small operators. In a scenario of progressive increase of the use of sequential SET with no change in the current reimbursement model, we estimated a saving of BRL 59,319,276 for the BSHS in five years. Conclusions: The use of sequential SET (vs. DET) in IVF procedures is potentially less costly for BSHS for prenatal, child-birth and complication costs. In the scenario of progressive incorporation and full reimbursement of the procedure, the incremental cost was estimated at BRL 8-13 thousands/patient.

Live birth outcomes of vitrified embryos generated under growth hormone stimulation are improved for women categorized as poor-prognosis / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical pregnancy (CP) and live birth (LB) rates arising from frozen embryo transfers (FETs) that had been generated under the influence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) adjuvants given to women categorized as poor-prognosis.METHODS: A registered, single-center, retrospective study. A total of 1,119 patients with first FETs cycle include 310 patients with poor prognosis (109 treated with growth hormone [GH], (+)GH group vs. 201 treated with dehydroepiandrosterone, (–)GH group) and 809 patients with good prognosis (as control, (–)Adj (Good) group).RESULTS: The poor-prognosis women were significantly older, with a lower ovarian reserve than the (–)Adj (Good) group, and demonstrated lower chances of CP (p<0.005) and LB (p<0.005). After adjusting for confounders, the chances of both CP and LB in the (+)GH group were not significantly different from those in the (–)Adj (Good) group, indicating that the poor-prognosis patients given GH had similar outcomes to those with a good prognosis. Furthermore, the likelihood of LB was significantly higher for poor-prognosis women given GH than for those who did not receive GH (p<0.028). This was further confirmed in age-matched analyses.CONCLUSION: The embryos cryopreserved from fresh IVF cycles in which adjuvant GH had been administered to women classified as poor-prognosis showed a significant 2.7-fold higher LB rate in subsequent FET cycles than a matched poor-prognosis group. The women with a poor prognosis who were treated with GH had LB outcomes equivalent to those with a good prognosis. We therefore postulate that GH improves some aspect of oocyte quality that confers improved competency for implantation.

Comparison between Single and Double Cleavage-Stage Embryo Transfers, Single and Double Blastocyst Transfers in a South East Asian In Vitro Fertilisation Centre

INTRODUCTION@#This study investigated the differences in clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), live birth rate (LBR) and multiple pregnancy rate (MPR) between double cleavage-stage embryo transfers compared to single and double blastocysts stage embryo transfers in a single academic medical centre.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#This was a retrospective cohort study performed at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital In Vitro Fertilisation (KKIVF) Centre of all women who underwent fresh-cycle in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles over a 5-year period. The outcome measures were CPR, LBR and MPR. The study included 5294 cycles, of which 539 patients underwent single embryo transfer (SET); 4533 patients underwent double embryo transfer (DET); 84 patients underwent double blastocyst embryo transfer (DBT); and 65 patients underwent single blastocyst embryo transfer (SBT).@*RESULTS@#The mean age of patients undergoing single blastocysts stage embryo transfer was lower than the other 2 groups. The DET, single and double blastocysts stage embryo transfer groups achieved similar LBR (33.9%, 38.7%, 35.4%, >0.05) and CPR (42.4%, 46.2%, 46.9%).@*CONCLUSION@#We found that single blastocysts stage embryo transfer is associated with similar LBR and CPR compared to double blastocysts stage embryo transfer and DET, with lower MPRs, and should be offered as standard practice, where possible.

Retrospective study of single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles according to the presence of morphokinetic variables / 대한생식의학회지

This study retrospectively assessed whether time-lapse data relating to developmental timing and morphology were associated with clinical outcomes, with the eventual goal of using morphokinetic variables to select embryos prospectively for cryopreservation. In this study, we examined the clinical outcomes of single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles that were cultured in a time-lapse incubation system. The morphokinetic variables included uneven pronuclei, an uneven blastomere, multinucleation, and direct, rapid, and irregular division. A total of 164 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles were analyzed (102 cycles of regularly developed blastocysts and 62 cycles of blastocysts with morphokinetic variables). No significant differences in the age of females or the standard blastocyst morphology were found between these two groups. The regularly developed blastocysts showed significantly higher implantation and clinical pregnancy rates than the blastocysts exhibiting morphokinetic variables (30.4% vs. 9.7% and 37.3% vs. 14.5%, respectively; p < 0.01). The blastocysts that exhibited morphokinetic variables showed different mean development times compared with the regularly developed blastocysts. Although morphokinetic variables are known to have fatal impacts on embryonic development, a considerable number of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Morphokinetic variables had negative effects on the implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles. These findings suggest that blastocysts cultured in a time-lapse incubation system should be considered for selective cryopreservation according to morphokinetic variables.

Pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of elective single versus double cleavage-stage embryo transfer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the pregnancy and obstetric outcomes in elective single versus two cleavage-stage embryo transfer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fresh cleavage-stage embryo transfer cycles between January, 2014 and October, 2015 were reviewed, including 39 single embryo transfer (eSET) cycles and 200 double embryo transfer (DET) cycles. The clinical pregnancy rates, implantation rates, multiple pregnancy rates, live birth rate, and obstetric outcomes (gestational age, preterm delivery rate and mean birth weight) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The estradiol level on the day of trigger and the oocyte number were significantly higher in eSET group than in DET group (10654.4 pmol/L vs 8284.2 pmol/L and 8.4 vs 7.0, respectively). No significant difference was found in the pregnancy rate (56.4% vs 66.0%) or live birth rate (48.7% vs 51.5%) between the two groups, and their implantation rates differed significantly (56.4% vs 37.8%). No multiple pregnancies occurred in eSET group while the rate of multiple pregnancies was 22.7% in DET group. The gestational age and mean birth weight were significantly higher in eSET group (P<0.05), and the preterm delivery rate after DET was nearly three times of that after eSET, although this difference was not statistically significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elective single embryo transfer can be performed without compromising the live birth rates. Multiple pregnancy rates can be significantly reduced with eSET, which also results in a higher chance of delivering a term singleton live birth compared with DET.</p>

The rate of morphologically normal sperm does not affect the clinical outcomes of conventional IVF in patients with one retrieved oocyte / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of the rate of morphologically normal sperm (MNS) on the clinical outcomes of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with one retrieved oocyte.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2013 to January 2015, a total of 256 couples with one retrieved oocyte underwent conventional IVF in our center. According to the rate of MNS, the patients were divided into two groups: MNS < 4% (134 cycles) and MNS ≥ 4% (122 cycles). We compared the rates of no transferrable embryo cycles, fertilization, cleavage, normal fertilization, abnormal fertilization, high-quality embryo and transferrable embryo between the two groups. A total of 75 fresh embryo transfer cycles were performed, 43 in the MNS < 4% group and the other 32 in the MNS ≥ 4% group. We also compared the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the rates of no transferrable embryo cycles, fertilization, cleavage, normal fertilization, abnormal fertilization, high-quality embryo and transferrable embryo (P > 0.05). The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion exhibited no remarkable differences either in the fresh embryo transfer cycles between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The rate of MNS does not affect the clinical outcomes of conventional IVF in patients with one retrieved oocyte.</p>

Heterotopic pregnancy after a single embryo transfer

Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening condition which is defined as coexistent intrauterine and ectopic gestation. The risk of ectopic and heterotopic pregnancy is increasing due to the increased risk of multiple pregnancies with the aid of assisted reproductive technologies. However, it hardly happens in the setting of single embryo transfer, since single embryo transfer significantly reduces the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Surprisingly, we experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy after a single embryo transfer caused by coincidental natural pregnancy during assisted reproductive technologies. An infertile woman who underwent, during her natural cycle, transfer of a single embryo that had been cryopreserved for 3 years was found to be heterotopically pregnant. After an early and successful management with laparoscopic right salpingectomy, she finally reached at full-term vaginal delivery.

Clinical outcomes of single versus double blastocyst transfer in fresh and vitrified-warmed cycles / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Assisted reproductive technology has been associated with an increase in multiple pregnancies. The most effective strategy for reducing multiple pregnancies is single embryo transfer. Beginning in October 2015, the National Supporting Program for Infertility in South Korea has limited the number of embryos that can be transferred per in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle depending on the patient's age. However, little is known regarding the effect of age and number of transferred embryos on the clinical outcomes of Korean patients. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the effect of the number of transferred blastocysts on clinical outcomes. METHODS: This study was carried out in the Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2014. The clinical outcomes of 514 women who underwent the transfer of one or two blastocysts on day 5 after IVF and of 721 women who underwent the transfer of one or two vitrified-warmed blastocysts were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: For both fresh and vitrified-warmed cycles, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth or ongoing pregnancy rate were not significantly different between patients who underwent elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT) and patients who underwent double blastocyst transfer (DBT), regardless of age. However, the multiple pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the eSBT group than in the DBT group. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of eSBT and DBT were equivalent, but eSBT had a lower risk of multiple pregnancy and is, therefore, the best option.

A retrospective study of single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical outcomes of single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer cycles according to the hatching status of frozen-thawed blastocysts. METHODS: Frozen-thawed blastocysts were divided into three groups according to their hatching status as follows: less-than-expanded blastocyst (≤EdB), hatching blastocyst (HgB), and hatched blastocyst (HdB). The female age and infertility factors of each group were evaluated. The quality of the single frozen-thawed blastocyst was also graded as grade A, tightly packed inner cell mass (ICM) and many cells organized in the trophectoderm epithelium (TE); grade B, several and loose ICM and TE; and grade C, very few ICM and a few cells in the TE. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were compared between each group. The data were analyzed by either t-test or chi-square analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in average female ages, infertility factors, or the distribution of blastocyst grades A, B, and C in each group. There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate of each group according to their blastocyst grade. However, there was a significant difference in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate between each group. In the HdB group, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were similar regardless of the blastocyst quality. CONCLUSION: There was an effect on the clinical outcomes depending on whether the blastocyst hatched during single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. When performing single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer, the hatching status of the frozen-thawed blastocyst may be a more important parameter for clinical outcomes than the quality of the frozen-thawed blastocyst.

Hospitalizations of children due to primary health care sensitive conditions in Pernambuco State, Northeast Brazil / Internações hospitalares de crianças por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde em Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil / Hospitalizaciones de niños por condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria de salud en el Estado de Pernambuco, Nordeste de Brasil

Admissions due to primary health care sensitive conditions from 1999 to 2009 among children < 5 years old were analyzed for municipalities in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Using data from the Brazilian Unified National Health System's Hospital Information System, a negative binomial regression was applied to estimate rate ratio (RR) and 95%CI for the effect on primary health care sensitive condition rates (admissions/10,000 inhabitants) of the Family Health Program (FHP) coverage (%), some demographic variables and living conditions. Hospitalizations due to primary health care sensitive conditions represented 44.1% of 861,628 admissions and the rate declined from 557.6 to 318.9 (-42.8%), a reduction three times greater than the rate due to all other causes. Increased FHP coverage was protective against primary health care sensitive conditions (RR = 0.94; 95%CI: 0.89-0.99). A decline in hospitalizations due to primary health care sensitive conditions indicated improvements in health status and may be associated with the consolidation of primary health care. Studies on access and quality of primary health care in relation to child morbidity and hospitalizations are needed.

Analisaram-se as internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária de 1999-2009 em crianças < 5 anos, em municípios de Pernambuco, Brasil. Com dados do SIH/SUS, aplicou-se regressão binomial negativa para estimar razão de taxas e IC95% do efeito sobre a taxa de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (internações/10.000 habitantes) da cobertura (%) do Programa Saúde da Família (PSF), variáveis demográficas e de condições de vida. Do total de 861.628 internações, 44,1% foram por condições sensíveis à atenção primária. A taxa variou de 557,6 para 318,9 (-42,8%), redução 3 vezes maior que da taxa de internação por todas as outras causas. Maior cobertura do PSF teve efeito protetor contra internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (razão de taxa = 0,94; IC95%: 0,89-0,99). A diminuição de internações por condições sensíveis indicou melhoria na situação de saúde e pode estar associada à consolidação do PSF. Há necessidade de estudar acesso e qualidade da atenção primária à saúde em relação à morbidade e hospitalizações.

Se analizaron las hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria entre 1999-2009 en niños < 5 años en municipios de Pernambuco, Brasil. Se aplicó una regresión binomial negativa a los datos del Sistema de Información Hospitalaria del SUS para estimar la razón de tasas (RT) y un IC95% de los efectos sobre la tasa de hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles (hospitalizaciones/10.000 habitantes) de la cobertura (%) del Programa de Salud de la Familia (PSF), variables demográficas y de condiciones de vida. Del total de 861.628 admisiones, un 44,1% eran hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles. La tasa varió de 557,6 a 318,9 (-42,8%), reducción tres veces mayor que la tasa por todas las otras causas. Una mayor cobertura del PSF fue protectora contra hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles (RT = 0,94; 95%IC: 0,89-0,99). La disminución de hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles indica una mejoría de condiciones de salud y puede estar asociada con el PSF. Se señala la necesidad de estudiar el acceso y la calidad de la atención primaria de salud, en relación con la morbilidad y hospitalizaciones.

Array comparative genomic hybridization screening in IVF significantly reduces number of embryos available for cryopreservation / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: During IVF, non-transferred embryos are usually selected for cryopreservation on the basis of morphological criteria. This investigation evaluated an application for array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in assessment of surplus embryos prior to cryopreservation. METHODS: First-time IVF patients undergoing elective single embryo transfer and having at least one extra non-transferred embryo suitable for cryopreservation were offered enrollment in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: Patients in group A (n=55) had embryos assessed first by morphology and then by aCGH, performed on cells obtained from trophectoderm biopsy on post-fertilization day 5. Only euploid embryos were designated for cryopreservation. Patients in group B (n=48) had embryos assessed by morphology alone, with only good morphology embryos considered suitable for cryopreservation. RESULTS: Among biopsied embryos in group A (n=425), euploidy was confirmed in 226 (53.1%). After fresh single embryo transfer, 64 (28.3%) surplus euploid embryos were cryopreserved for 51 patients (92.7%). In group B, 389 good morphology blastocysts were identified and a single top quality blastocyst was selected for fresh transfer. All group B patients (48/48) had at least one blastocyst remaining for cryopreservation. A total of 157 (40.4%) blastocysts were frozen in this group, a significantly larger proportion than was cryopreserved in group A (p=0.017, by chi-squared analysis). CONCLUSION: While aCGH and subsequent frozen embryo transfer are currently used to screen embryos, this is the first investigation to quantify the impact of aCGH specifically on embryo cryopreservation. Incorporation of aCGH screening significantly reduced the total number of cryopreserved blastocysts compared to when suitability for freezing was determined by morphology only. IVF patients should be counseled that the benefits of aCGH screening will likely come at the cost of sharply limiting the number of surplus embryos available for cryopreservation.

Comparison of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer to elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer in human IVF-ET / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcome of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer (eSCET) to that of elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer (eSBET) in human IVF-ET. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study which analyzed for 614 women who visited the Daegu Maria Clinic from August 2008 to December 2009. All were under 37 years old and had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration and at least one good quality embryo on day 3. The eSCETs were performed on day 3 (n=450) and the eSBETs were conducted on day 5 (n=164). RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and day 3 good quality embryos were significantly lower in the eSCET group (12.1+/-6.0, 8.2+/-4.6, and 4.2+/-3.1, respectively) compared to the eSBET group (16.7+/-7.2, 12.1+/-5.0, and 8.5+/-4.5, respectively; p<0.001). However, the clinical pregnancy, implantation, on-going pregnancy, and live birth rates of the eSCET group (46.7, 46.9, 40.0, and 36.7%, respectively) were not statistically different from those of the eSBET group (51.2, 51.8, 45.1, and 43.9%, respectively; p=0.318, 0.278, 0.254, and 0.103, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that elective single embryo transfer should be performed regardless of the developmental stage to women less than 37 years old who had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the hCG administration day and at least one good quality embryo on day 3 in order to reduce the twin pregnancy rate without reducing the whole pregnancy rate.

Comparison of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer to elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer in human IVF-ET / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the clinical outcome of elective single cleavage-embryo transfer (eSCET) to that of elective single blastocyst-embryo transfer (eSBET) in human IVF-ET. METHODS: This study was a retrospective study which analyzed for 614 women who visited the Daegu Maria Clinic from August 2008 to December 2009. All were under 37 years old and had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration and at least one good quality embryo on day 3. The eSCETs were performed on day 3 (n=450) and the eSBETs were conducted on day 5 (n=164). RESULTS: The numbers of retrieved oocytes, fertilized oocytes, and day 3 good quality embryos were significantly lower in the eSCET group (12.1+/-6.0, 8.2+/-4.6, and 4.2+/-3.1, respectively) compared to the eSBET group (16.7+/-7.2, 12.1+/-5.0, and 8.5+/-4.5, respectively; p<0.001). However, the clinical pregnancy, implantation, on-going pregnancy, and live birth rates of the eSCET group (46.7, 46.9, 40.0, and 36.7%, respectively) were not statistically different from those of the eSBET group (51.2, 51.8, 45.1, and 43.9%, respectively; p=0.318, 0.278, 0.254, and 0.103, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that elective single embryo transfer should be performed regardless of the developmental stage to women less than 37 years old who had more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness on the hCG administration day and at least one good quality embryo on day 3 in order to reduce the twin pregnancy rate without reducing the whole pregnancy rate.

Clinical Outcome of Elective Single Embryo Transfer Compared to Elective Double Embryo Transfer Performed at the Cleavage Stage / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the clinical outcome of elective single embryo transfer (eSET) performed at the cleavage stage to that of elective double embryo transfer (eDET). METHODS: Of the women less than 36 years old who visited Daegu Maria from January 2008 to April 2009, the only women (n=330) with more than 8 mm of endometrial thickness and at least one good quality embryo, who were treated with GnRH agonist long protocol, were included in this study. After information about complications that can arise by multiple embryo transfer, either eSET or eDET was conducted by their request (167 and 163, respectively). RESULTS: The implantation rate of eSET group was significantly higher than that of eDET group (53.9% vs. 40.2%, p<0.01). The twin pregnancy rate of eSET group was significantly lower than that of eDET group (1.1% vs. 32.3%, p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences between two groups in the clinical pregnancy (53.3% vs. 60.7%, p=0.172), ongoing pregnancy (47.3% vs. 54.6%, p=0.185) and live birth rates (44.9% vs. 50.9%, p=0.275). The number of the surplus embryos which developed to the blastocyst stage and cryopreserved at that stage was significantly higher in eSET group than that of eDET group (3.2+/-2.6 vs. 2.1+/-2.4, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eSET should reduce significantly the multiple baby pregnancy without decreasing the whole pregnancy rate in women with less than 36 years old.

Influence of Maternal Age on Embryo Quality and the Frequency of Multiple Pregnancy in IVF-ET Program / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of maternal age on embryo quality and the frequency of multiple pregnancy in IVF-ET program. METHOD: 86 conventional IVF-ET cycles were divided into three groups according to the age by 5 year (group A: 26-30, group B: 3135, group C: 36-40 yrs). The in vitro fertilization and development outcome (fertilization, cleavage and high quality embryo rate) and the pregnancy outcome (pregnancy, implantation, G-sac/high quality embryo and multiple pregnancy rate) were examined. And then, these results were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The rates of fertilization (62.7, 68.5 and 65.4%, respectively) and cleavage (95.6, 97.6 and 98.0%, respectively) were not different among the groups. And the high quality embryo (HQE) rate also was not different among the groups (61.8, 62.9 and 62.8%, respectively). The pregnancy rate of group C (23.3%) was significantly lower than that of group A (41.2%) and B (48.7%). And the implantation rate was significantly decreased to group B (32.2%) and C (14.3%) when compared to group A (71.4%) and B (36.8%). CONCLUSION: The pregnancy rate was significantly decreased over 35 years. The G-sac/HQE and multiple pregnancy rate were significantly high below 31 years. Thus, these results suggest that the number of high quality embryo transferred should be limited by the age and another criteria for embryo quality evaluation were required for single embryo transfer.