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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
10:59
Human Blastocyst Biopsy and Vitrification
Published on: July 26, 2019
Blastocyst stage transfer vs cleavage stage embryo transfer
Ann M Mangalraj1, K Muthukumar, Tk Aleyamma
1Reproductive Medicine Unit, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore - 632 004, Tamil Nadu, India.
Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences
|June 30, 2009
Summary
Blastocyst transfer significantly improves implantation and pregnancy rates compared to cleavage stage transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. This method allows for fewer embryo transfers, potentially reducing multiple pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Embryology
- In Vitro Fertilization
Background:
- Assisted reproductive technologies aim to optimize pregnancy outcomes.
- Embryo development stage at transfer impacts implantation and pregnancy rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of blastocyst transfer versus cleavage stage embryo transfer.
- To evaluate implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of women aged 35 or less undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
- Comparison between extended culture to day 5 (blastocyst transfer) and day 3 (cleavage stage transfer).
- Primary outcomes: implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate.
Main Results:
- Blastocyst transfer group showed significantly higher implantation rates (40.16% vs 11.43%).
- Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly better with blastocyst transfer (62% vs 29.76%).
- Fewer embryos were transferred at the blastocyst stage (2.54 vs 3.45).
Conclusions:
- Blastocyst transfer is an effective strategy in selected cases, yielding high implantation and pregnancy rates.
- This approach can reduce the number of embryos transferred.
- Potential reduction in higher-order pregnancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Cleavage and Blastulation
After a large-single-celled zygote is produced via fertilization, the process of cleavage occurs while zygotes travel through the uterine tube. Cleavage is a mitotic cell division that does not result in growth. With each round of successive cell division, daughter cells get increasingly smaller.
01:24In Vitro Fertilization
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...