Serum oxytocin concentration during embryo transfer procedure

Abstract

Serum oxytocin concentration during embryo transfer procedure. Objective: To determine the effect of the embryo transfer (ET) procedure on serum concentration of oxytocin. Study Design: Prospective clinical study of 10 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with ET in the Section of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bonn, Germany. Serial blood samples were collected in time intervals of 20 s during embryo transfer procedure and serum oxytocin concentration was measured. Results: In the absence of tenaculum placement, none of the procedures associated with ET led to an increase in serum oxytocin concentration. When tenaculum placement was used, it was temporally (four out of five patients) associated with an elevation in oxytocin level, which remained elevated until of the end of ET procedure. Conclusion: Application of a cervical tenaculum during ET or possibly also during intra uterine insemination (IUI) procedure can stimulate the release of oxytocin in some patients.