Related Experiment Videos
Elective single embryo transfer: the value of cryopreservation
A Tiitinen1, M Halttunen, P Härkki
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 140, 00029 HUS, Finland. aila.tiitinen@hus.fi
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|June 2, 2001
Summary
Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) combined with cryopreservation significantly reduces twin pregnancies in assisted reproduction. This approach offers high cumulative delivery rates while minimizing risks and costs associated with multiple births.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- Infertility Treatment
Background:
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF) frequently results in multiple pregnancies due to the number of embryos transferred.
- Reducing multiple pregnancies is a key challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of elective single embryo transfer (eSET) combined with a robust cryopreservation program.
- To assess pregnancy and delivery rates while minimizing the incidence of twin pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 127 elective single embryo transfers performed between 1998-1999.
- Inclusion of cycles where at least one embryo was cryopreserved.
- Evaluation of frozen-thawed embryo transfer outcomes.
Main Results:
- A clinical pregnancy rate of 38.6% was achieved with eSET.
- The highest implantation rate was observed with four-cell embryos (<10% fragmentation).
- Cumulative delivery rate per oocyte retrieval reached 52.8% with a twin rate of 7.6%.
Conclusions:
- eSET, supported by effective cryopreservation, yields acceptable pregnancy rates with a low risk of twins.
- This strategy is cost-effective, reducing risks and costs associated with multiple pregnancies.