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A prospective, randomized study comparing day 2 and day 3 embryo transfer in human IVF
H Laverge1, P De Sutter, J Van der Elst
1Infertility Centre, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. heleen.laverge@rug.ac.be
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|March 3, 2001
Summary
Embryo transfer on day 2 or day 3 after in vitro fertilization (IVF) shows similar implantation and pregnancy rates. However, embryo quality may decrease when cultured to day 3.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Background:
- Delayed embryo transfer post-IVF is thought to improve embryo selection.
- Day 3 embryo transfer is hypothesized to yield higher success rates than Day 2.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare implantation and pregnancy rates between Day 2 and Day 3 embryo transfers.
- To analyze the relationship between embryo quality and implantation rates on Day 2 and Day 3.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized study over 2 years.
- Included patients with at least seven normally fertilized oocytes.
- Minimization procedure considering patient age and fertilization method (IVF/ICSI).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in implantation rates (23.8% vs. 23.8%) or pregnancy rates (47.9% vs. 46.8%) between Day 2 and Day 3 transfers.
- Higher incidence of moderate to poor quality embryos observed on Day 3 compared to Day 2.
- Overall embryo quality score decreased with extended culture to Day 3.
Conclusions:
- Embryo transfer outcomes are comparable for Day 2 and Day 3.
- Extended embryo culture to Day 3 may lead to a decrease in perceived embryo quality.