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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Minimally Invasive Embryo Transfer and Embryo Vitrification at the Optimal Embryo Stage in Rabbit Model
Published on: May 16, 2019
Air in the transfer catheter does not affect the success of embryo transfer
Vicenta Moreno1, Juan Balasch, Ester Vidal
1Institut Clínic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Clínic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Faculty of Medicine-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Objective:
To investigate the effect on embryo transfer (ET) success of air loaded into the transfer catheter to bracket the embryo-containing medium.
Design:
Prospective, randomized study.
Setting:
University teaching hospital.
Patient(S):
One hundred two consecutive patients undergoing ET after IVF.
Intervention(S):
In group 1 (n = 52), embryos were loaded as follows: 200 microL of air in the syringe, 100-125 microL of air in the proximal part of the catheter, 20-25 microL of medium containing the embryos to be transferred, and 10 microL of air at the tip of the catheter. In group 2 (n = 50), the syringe and the entire catheter were filled with medium and the embryo-containing medium (20-25 microL) was aspirated without being bracketed by air spaces.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Implantation and pregnancy rates.
Result(S):
No differences were found between groups 1 and 2 with respect to implantation and pregnancy rates.
Conclusion(S):
The air loaded into the transfer catheter to bracket the embryo-containing medium has no negative effect on ET success.
