The effective prevention of multiple pregnancies by elective single embryo transfer

Abstract

ObjectiveMaintaining high pregnancy rates without multiple pregnancies is important for assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This study evaluated the consequences of using a new embryo quality assessment for pregnancy, implantation and multiple pregnancy rates achieved with single embryo transfer (compulsory (cSET) and elective (eSET)) or 2 embryos transfer (DET).DesignRetrospective study.Materials and methodsSubjects were 188 patients (188 cycles) who utilized c-IVF and ICSI during from January 2005 to August 2006. Embryo transfer was performed on day 3. Embryo quality was primarily estimated by the time needed to reach 2 cells division at 25–27 hours after insemination. In addition, we scored morphological assessment of blastomere and first polar body, hollow formation of cytoplasm and nucleolus aspect.ResultsPregnancy rate (44.4% and 55.6%, respectively) and implantation rate (44.4% and 36.1%, respectively) of eSET and DET were significantly higher than cSET group (P<0.05). No significant differences in pregnancy and implantation rates were between eSET and DET, however, the frequency of multiple pregnancies was significantly reduced in eSET (0%, 0/24) compared with in DET (30.0%, 15/50) (P<0.05).ConclusionsThis study confirmed that eSET resulted in pregnancy rates as high as those achieved with double embryos transfer. Furthermore it is note that multiple pregnancy rate can clearly be reduced after eSET. Therefore, our novel embryo quality assessment is an excellent methods for selecting embryos to transfer. In future, when good quality embryos are present on day 3, only 1 elective embryo should be transferred to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies. ObjectiveMaintaining high pregnancy rates without multiple pregnancies is important for assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This study evaluated the consequences of using a new embryo quality assessment for pregnancy, implantation and multiple pregnancy rates achieved with single embryo transfer (compulsory (cSET) and elective (eSET)) or 2 embryos transfer (DET). Maintaining high pregnancy rates without multiple pregnancies is important for assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. This study evaluated the consequences of using a new embryo quality assessment for pregnancy, implantation and multiple pregnancy rates achieved with single embryo transfer (compulsory (cSET) and elective (eSET)) or 2 embryos transfer (DET). DesignRetrospective study. Retrospective study. Materials and methodsSubjects were 188 patients (188 cycles) who utilized c-IVF and ICSI during from January 2005 to August 2006. Embryo transfer was performed on day 3. Embryo quality was primarily estimated by the time needed to reach 2 cells division at 25–27 hours after insemination. In addition, we scored morphological assessment of blastomere and first polar body, hollow formation of cytoplasm and nucleolus aspect. Subjects were 188 patients (188 cycles) who utilized c-IVF and ICSI during from January 2005 to August 2006. Embryo transfer was performed on day 3. Embryo quality was primarily estimated by the time needed to reach 2 cells division at 25–27 hours after insemination. In addition, we scored morphological assessment of blastomere and first polar body, hollow formation of cytoplasm and nucleolus aspect. ResultsPregnancy rate (44.4% and 55.6%, respectively) and implantation rate (44.4% and 36.1%, respectively) of eSET and DET were significantly higher than cSET group (P<0.05). No significant differences in pregnancy and implantation rates were between eSET and DET, however, the frequency of multiple pregnancies was significantly reduced in eSET (0%, 0/24) compared with in DET (30.0%, 15/50) (P<0.05). Pregnancy rate (44.4% and 55.6%, respectively) and implantation rate (44.4% and 36.1%, respectively) of eSET and DET were significantly higher than cSET group (P<0.05). No significant differences in pregnancy and implantation rates were between eSET and DET, however, the frequency of multiple pregnancies was significantly reduced in eSET (0%, 0/24) compared with in DET (30.0%, 15/50) (P<0.05). ConclusionsThis study confirmed that eSET resulted in pregnancy rates as high as those achieved with double embryos transfer. Furthermore it is note that multiple pregnancy rate can clearly be reduced after eSET. Therefore, our novel embryo quality assessment is an excellent methods for selecting embryos to transfer. In future, when good quality embryos are present on day 3, only 1 elective embryo should be transferred to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies. This study confirmed that eSET resulted in pregnancy rates as high as those achieved with double embryos transfer. Furthermore it is note that multiple pregnancy rate can clearly be reduced after eSET. Therefore, our novel embryo quality assessment is an excellent methods for selecting embryos to transfer. In future, when good quality embryos are present on day 3, only 1 elective embryo should be transferred to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies.