PURPOSE: To investigate whether the consecutive embryo transfer of day 3 embryos and of blastocyst protects against failure to reach embryo transfer and provides additional pregnancies. METHODS: An embryo transfer was performed on day 3 following which all remaining embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage for a possible second transfer. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two patients were selected for extended culture. Thirty-two of these patients did not develop blastocysts in culture, however, there were 12 pregnancies achieved in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The consecutive transfer of day 3 embryos and blastocysts can prevent the total loss of a cycle when embryos fail to develop to the blastocyst stage in culture and thereby provide additional pregnancies.
PURPOSE: To investigate whether the consecutive embryo transfer of day 3 embryos and of blastocyst protects against failure to reach embryo transfer and provides additional pregnancies. METHODS: An embryo transfer was performed on day 3 following which all remaining embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage for a possible second transfer. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two patients were selected for extended culture. Thirty-two of these patients did not develop blastocysts in culture, however, there were 12 pregnancies achieved in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The consecutive transfer of day 3 embryos and blastocysts can prevent the total loss of a cycle when embryos fail to develop to the blastocyst stage in culture and thereby provide additional pregnancies.
Authors: Torie C Plowden; Micah J Hill; Shana M Miles; Benjamin Hoyt; Belinda Yauger; James H Segars; John M Csokmay; Rebecca J Chason Journal: Reprod Sci Date: 2016-09-21 Impact factor: 3.060