Efficacy of day 4 embryo transfer (ET) in minimizing weekend staffing requirements

Abstract

Objective: Our facility is operated by a single physician who worked 7 days a week. ET were routinely performed on day 3 or day 5, including Sundays. In an effort to minimize weekend staffing needs, we evaluated the use of day 4 ET. Few studies have proven the benefits of day 4 ET, and it is rarely performed by others. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of the day 4 ET.Design: A retrospective study in a private ART center.Materials and Methods: All fresh donor cycles, and autologous cycles in women less than 41 years of age performed from March through November 2002 resulting in ET (n=354) were included in this study. Following ICSI, all embryos were cultured in G1.2 medium to day 3. When day 3 fell on a Sunday, patients were scheduled for day 4 or day 5 ET. For those selected for extended culture, embryos were placed to Global Medium on day 3, cultured to day 4 or day 5, and subsequently transferred. Delivered or ongoing clinical pregnancy rates (CP) were determined and compared.Results: The summary of our findings are presented in the table below: Tabled 1Conclusion: As illustrated by the data, there were no detrimental effects associated with day 4 ET. Implementation of day 4 ET is an effective method of minimizing weekend staffing requirements without compromising patient care. In order to assess if day 4 ET may be superior to day 3 ET, a prospective, randomized study should be performed. Objective: Our facility is operated by a single physician who worked 7 days a week. ET were routinely performed on day 3 or day 5, including Sundays. In an effort to minimize weekend staffing needs, we evaluated the use of day 4 ET. Few studies have proven the benefits of day 4 ET, and it is rarely performed by others. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of the day 4 ET. Design: A retrospective study in a private ART center. Materials and Methods: All fresh donor cycles, and autologous cycles in women less than 41 years of age performed from March through November 2002 resulting in ET (n=354) were included in this study. Following ICSI, all embryos were cultured in G1.2 medium to day 3. When day 3 fell on a Sunday, patients were scheduled for day 4 or day 5 ET. For those selected for extended culture, embryos were placed to Global Medium on day 3, cultured to day 4 or day 5, and subsequently transferred. Delivered or ongoing clinical pregnancy rates (CP) were determined and compared. Results: The summary of our findings are presented in the table below: Tabled 1 Conclusion: As illustrated by the data, there were no detrimental effects associated with day 4 ET. Implementation of day 4 ET is an effective method of minimizing weekend staffing requirements without compromising patient care. In order to assess if day 4 ET may be superior to day 3 ET, a prospective, randomized study should be performed.