Discarding IVF embryos: reporting on global practices

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Clinical Embryology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

• Supernumerary embryos are a common outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
• Current practices for discarding these embryos lack global standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the global practices and trends in discarding supernumerary embryos.
• To understand the current landscape of clinical embryologists' approaches to embryo disposal.

Main Methods:

• A web-based, anonymous questionnaire was distributed globally to practicing clinical embryologists.
• Data was collected over 8 months from 65 countries.

Main Results:

• The majority of practitioners dispose of embryos in dedicated trash receptacles.
• Most discard embryos separately and often wait until day 6, with many procedures being witnessed.
• A significant majority (59.5%) believe a universally accepted protocol would benefit the practice.

Conclusions:

• This study offers unique insights into diverse global embryo disposal practices.
• There is a significant divergence in reported practices, highlighting the need for standardization.
• Embryologists recognize and advocate for the implementation of a universally accepted protocol.