OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nonselective application of extended embryo culture on the outcome of IVF. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Private practice assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Seven hundred ninety nonselected patients undergoing IVF with controlled ovarian stimulation. INTERVENTION(S): For day 3 ET, multicell embryos were cultured in human tubal fluid medium and 12% synthetic serum substitute. For day 5 ET, embryos were cultured for 48 hours in S1 medium and then for 48 hours in S2 medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation rate (determined by total no. of visualized gestational sacs), ongoing pregnancy rate, and number of embryos available for ET. RESULT(S): Respective day 3 and day 5 implantation rates for patients aged <35 years (29.5% and 38.9%), patients aged 35-39 years (20.7% and 28.2%), and all patients combined (23.3% and 32.4%) were statistically significantly different. Significantly more embryos were transferred on day 3 than on day 5 for patients aged <35 years (2.9 vs. 2.4), patients aged 35-39 years (3.1 vs. 2.6), and all patients combined (3.0 vs. 2.5). The difference in ongoing pregnancy rates per retrieval was statistically significant for day 3 compared with day 5 transfers for all patients combined (35.9% vs. 43.8%). Cancellation rates for transfer after retrieval increased significantly for day 3 compared with day 5 transfer (2.9% vs 6.7%). CONCLUSION(S): These results demonstrate the feasibility of using extended embryo culture in a nonselective manner for couples undergoing IVF. Overall, extended embryo culture was associated with a significant increase in pregnancy rates and implantation rates and a significant decrease in the number of embryos transferred. The rate of multiple implantation among patients aged <35 years warrants consideration of single blastocyst transfers for this group.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nonselective application of extended embryo culture on the outcome of IVF. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Private practice assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Seven hundred ninety nonselected patients undergoing IVF with controlled ovarian stimulation. INTERVENTION(S): For day 3 ET, multicell embryos were cultured in human tubal fluid medium and 12% synthetic serum substitute. For day 5 ET, embryos were cultured for 48 hours in S1 medium and then for 48 hours in S2 medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation rate (determined by total no. of visualized gestational sacs), ongoing pregnancy rate, and number of embryos available for ET. RESULT(S): Respective day 3 and day 5 implantation rates for patients aged <35 years (29.5% and 38.9%), patients aged 35-39 years (20.7% and 28.2%), and all patients combined (23.3% and 32.4%) were statistically significantly different. Significantly more embryos were transferred on day 3 than on day 5 for patients aged <35 years (2.9 vs. 2.4), patients aged 35-39 years (3.1 vs. 2.6), and all patients combined (3.0 vs. 2.5). The difference in ongoing pregnancy rates per retrieval was statistically significant for day 3 compared with day 5 transfers for all patients combined (35.9% vs. 43.8%). Cancellation rates for transfer after retrieval increased significantly for day 3 compared with day 5 transfer (2.9% vs 6.7%). CONCLUSION(S): These results demonstrate the feasibility of using extended embryo culture in a nonselective manner for couples undergoing IVF. Overall, extended embryo culture was associated with a significant increase in pregnancy rates and implantation rates and a significant decrease in the number of embryos transferred. The rate of multiple implantation among patients aged <35 years warrants consideration of single blastocyst transfers for this group.
Authors: Sang Min Kang; Sang Won Lee; San Hyun Yoon; Joo Cheol Kim; Jin Ho Lim; Seong Goo Lee Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2013-05-30 Impact factor: 3.412