OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy rates (PRs) after ultrasound-guided embryo transfer and embryo transfer based on ultrasonographic length measurement. DESIGN: Prospective intervention group combined with retrospective control group. SETTING: University fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. INTERVENTION(S): Transabdominal ultrasonographic guidance at embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the use of cumulus-aided embryo transfer on pregnancy rates. To study the proximity of expanded cumulus cells to the developing embryo. To document by light microscopy the anchoring of day 3 to day 4 embryos by the expanded cumulus cells. To demonstrate by transmission ...

Preimplantation genetic aneuploidy screening (PGS) has been performed during the last decade as a way of enhancing embryo selection in patients with an increased incidence of embryonic numerical chromosome abnormalities (advanced maternal age, recurrent miscarriage and recurrent implantation failure). It has been proposed that the replacement of euploid embryos in ...

Single embryo transfer is the best way to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy in IVF-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Between June 2002 and December 2004, all patients (first cycle, female age <38 years) were offered the choice between having one (SET) or two (DET) embryos transferred. Among 493 couples, 428 ...

The purpose of this study was to compare IVF outcome following sequential embryo transfer (ET) with that following the transfer of early cleavage embryos among patients with previous multiple IVF failures but adequate ovarian response. A retrospective matched case-control analysis was made of the medical files of 66 women who ...

The objective of this study was to answer the question of whether a double instead of triple embryo transfer strategy in patients over 38 years would substantially reduce the number of multiple pregnancies while maintaining the chance of a term live birth at an acceptable level. A randomized controlled two-centre ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of embryo transfer into the uterus (ET) performed on day 3 vs. tubal embryo transfer (TET) on day 2 in couples diagnosed with male factor infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data from 34 and 110 patients who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) followed by ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate viability and implantation potential of cryopreserved blastocysts according to the day of blastocyst expansion and cryopreservation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Private ART center. PATIENT(S): Three hundred and seventy-five patients undergoing embryo transfer with cryopreserved blastocysts. INTERVENTION(S): Blastocyst cryopreservation on day 5, 6, or 7 after oocyte retrieval ...

BACKGROUND: Since we reported the first successful birth from a blastocyst vitrified using a cryoloop technique, our results showed that the survival rate of vitrified blastocysts was negatively correlated with the expansion of the blastocoele. We speculated that a large blastocoele may disturb the efficacy of vitrification. Therefore, we evaluated ...

BACKGROUND: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) after fertility therapy seems to be a rare complication despite the widespread use of these treatments. Despite embryos derived from normally fertilized oocytes were transferred, molar pregnancies still occurring. CASES: Two patients underwent first cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for management of infertility related ...

Pregnancy rate following one cycle of IVF and ET can be as high as 60%. But even in the very successful units, some couples fail repeatedly. The causes for repeated implantation failure (RIF) may be because of reduced endometrial receptivity, embryonic defects or multifactorial causes. Various uterine pathologies, such as ...

This study aimed to determine whether direct flushing of endometrial cavity with culture media just after cervical irrigation at the time of embryo transfer has any effect on pregnancy rates. A total of 240 women were prospectively randomised; one group of patients (group 1) underwent intrauterine direct flushing of endometrial ...

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of the transfer catheter during embryo transfer is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Antibiotics at the time of embryo transfer may improve outcomes. We evaluated the effect of co-amoxiclav on the rates of bacterial contamination of transfer catheters and clinical pregnancy. METHODS: On the day of oocyte ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the individual physician performing embryo transfer, on clinical pregnancy rates. METHOD: Data from a total of 485 consecutive embryo transfers performed on 485 women aged 23-37 years were prospectively collected for this study. All patients underwent a standard downregulation long protocol for ovarian stimulation. ...

PURPOSE: Determine if the evaluation of endometrium one week after embryo transfer can predict pregnancy. METHODS: Endometrial volume and thickness were evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound in 40 patients one week after embryo transfer. These results were compared to serum pregnancy test performed one week later. RESULTS: Twenty two patients have ...

A slow freezing/rapid thawing method for the cryopreservation of human oocytes has been employed using a sodium-depleted culture media. In 53 frozen egg-embryo transfer (FEET) cycles, a 60.4% survival rate post-thaw was obtained and a 62.0% fertilization rate following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Overall pregnancy rates were 26.4% per thaw attempt, ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of extended estrogen administration for women with thin endometrium in frozen-thawed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. METHODS: Thirty-six women undergoing IVF program had thin endometrium (<8 mm). Among them, 23 received fresh embryo transfer (control group), but 13 canceled embryo transfer and underwent frozen-thawed embryo transfer ...

OBJECTIVE: To report the birth of a baby from the transfer of one embryo after rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: IVF center. PATIENT(S): A 42-year-old G2P0020 woman with unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Rescue ICSI followed by PGD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy. RESULT(S): ...

The new Italian law on assisted reproduction technology rules that no more than three oocytes can be fertilized at one time, and that all embryos obtained must be transferred to the maternal uterus simultaneously. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the new law on ...

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of assisted reproduction and control singletons were evaluated after taking into account treatment characteristics and infertility background. The elective single embryo transfer (eSET) group (n = 45) was compared with the compulsory single embryo transfer (cSET; n = 52), double embryo transfer (DET; n = 227) ...

OBJECTIVES: To compare early loss rates between twin and singleton pregnancies following ART. STUDY DESIGN: First-trimester sonography counted the number of embryos with positive heartbeat in women undergoing IVF/ICSI and transfer of one to three embryos. The number of lost pregnancies was calculated from a second-trimester sonogram. Loss rates of ...

BACKGROUND: The availability of an efficient cryopreservation program is especially important in the case of embryos that have undergone blastomere biopsy for PGD. Unfortunately, the freezing/thawing of biopsied embryos has given disappointing results when performed at the cleavage stage. In this study, embryos diagnosed as normal after PGD were grown ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate implantation of day 5 and day 6 vitrified and slow-frozen blastocysts. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis comparing two cryopreservation techniques. SETTING: Private IVF clinic. PATIENT(S): Five hundred eight cryopreserved embryo transfer candidates. INTERVENTION(S): Supernumerary day 5 and day 6 blastocysts were vitrified or slow-frozen and transfered after warming or ...

BACKGROUND: The elective single embryo transfer policy is the only effective strategy known to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy. However, little is known about its applicability to women older than 35 years. METHODS: Analysis was carried out on 1224 fresh IVF/ICSI cycles with embryo transfer and 828 frozen embryo ...

BACKGROUND: After treatment for infertility using in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer, a high index of suspicion must be maintained for early diagnosis and treatment of concurrent ectopic pregnancy; however, the likelihood of a positive outcome for the intrauterine pregnancy remains uncertain. CASE: A subchorionic hematoma threatening an intrauterine gestation noted ...

OBJECTIVE: Delaying ET to day 3 to optimize embryo selection is well accepted. However, in cases where there are not enough embryos to perform selection, it is not clear whether there is a difference in clinical outcomes with the day of ET. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): ...

Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a progressing common reproduction method and if the number of transferred embryo increases, the pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancies will increase which may lead to higher medical costs and human suffering. We compared pregnancy and multiple pregnancies rate after two or three transferred embryo ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of day 2 and day 3 embryo transfers in women demonstrating poor ovarian response. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Private assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Two hundred eighty-one women demonstrating poor ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. INTERVENTION(S): Women who were poor responders were ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency of embryo scoring systems for multiple pregnancy in women undergoing IVF procedures. DESIGN: Retrospective record analysis. SETTING: University hospital, tertiary medical center. PATIENT(S): Three hundred one patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation, IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and day 3 embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S): IVF/ICSI and embryo transfer. ...

Purpose To report a trizygotic quintuplet pregnancy following simultaneous embryo splitting in an oocyte donation cycle after transfer of 3 embryos. Methods A 40-year-old Caucasian female G3P1 with two previous spontaneous abortions and diminished ovarian reserve presented for IVF. The patient underwent an oocyte donation cycle secondary to diminished ovarian ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of number of oocytes retrieved and number of 2PN embryos developed on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis. SETTING: University practice. PATIENT(S): Reproductive-aged women (n = 467). INTERVENTION(S): First fresh nondonor cycle of IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate RESULT(S): Clinical ...

In this study, we compared pregnancy and delivery outcomes after the utilization of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in Europe and the United States (US). ART outcomes were compared between Europe and the US for the year 2001, based on formal reports published by the European Society for Human Reproduction and ...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate if the diagnosis and treatment of uterine cavity abnormalities by hysteroscopy in patients undergoing IVF programme is of any value in improving clinical pregnancy outcome. METHODS: 520 patients participated in this prospective randomized study and were classified into two groups. Group ...

BACKGROUND: Frozen embryo transfers are characterized by impaired pregnancy outcome and increased incidence of pregnancy loss as compared with fresh IVF/ICSI embryo transfers. In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and embryological factors that potentially influence the outcome of frozen embryo transfer. METHODS: We reviewed the outcome ...

BACKGROUND: There is a need to understand what affects the success of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and the rate of resulting twin births so that pregnancy rates can be improved and multiple gestations avoided. Our aim was to assess the role of B vitamins and genetics. METHODS: We did a prospective ...

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine the placental transfer of the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor lopinavir with ritonavir. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-five human cotyledons that were obtained after uneventful pregnancies and deliveries were perfused in an open double circuit with lopinavir (1099-10,606 microg/L) and ritonavir (254-1147 microg/L) at various ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe a parasitic infection that probably affected the implantation of good-quality embryos in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Tertiary care center in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): A 36-year-old Caucasian female with primary unexplained infertility. The patient underwent two cycles of IVF with good-quality ...

PURPOSE: In this study, we assess whether the endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) generated physiologically by the genital tract have negative effect on the pregnancy rate during tubal embryo transfer (TET) in patients who do not have hydrosalpinx or bilateral tubal obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively collected samples from 176 women with ...

Asynchrony between embryo development and endometrial differentiation is the limiting step of successful pregnancy in assisted reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not post-thaw synchronization culture of day 5-6 frozen embryos, prior to transfer, with endometrial differentiation resulted in pregnancy. A total of 142 cycles ...

PURPOSE: To compare pregnancy rates of embryo transfers performed by a patient's own IVF physician to pregnancy rates of embryo transfers performed by other physicians on the IVF team. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study; University hospital. RESULTS: A total of 3029 embryo transfers were included. 434 patients (14%) had an embryo ...

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of embryos may lead to zona hardening that may compromise in vivo hatching and implantation following thawing and transfer. Assisted hatching (AH) has been advocated as a means of assisting the natural hatching process and enhancing implantation. METHODS: The aim of this study was to assess in a ...

BACKGROUND: Twin pregnancies after IVF are still frequent and are considered high-risk pregnancies leading to high costs. Transferring one embryo can reduce the twin pregnancy rate. We compared cost-effectiveness of one fresh cycle elective single embryo transfer (eSET) versus one fresh cycle double embryo transfer (DET) in an unselected patient ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on clinical pregnancy rates for women undergoing ET. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial using a noninvasive sham acupuncture control. SETTING: Repromed, The Reproductive Medicine Unit of The University of Adelaide. PATIENT(S): Women undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Women were randomly allocated to acupuncture or noninvasive ...

European results of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) from treatments initiated during 2002 are presented in this sixth report. Data was mainly collected from already existing national registers. From 25 countries, 631 clinics reported 324,238 treatment cycles with: IVF 122,634, ICSI 135,048, frozen embryo replacement (FER) 57 162, egg donation (ED) ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of gravidity on the results of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive women aged <35 years admitted to our IVF unit from January 2002 to December 2004 were enrolled in the study. Only patients undergoing one of their first ...

Prospective studies of reproductive outcomes frequently record data at multiple cycles. For example, studies of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) follow women or couples for possibly several IVF cycles and record outcomes such as pregnancy status and embryo implantation. Several time-varying covariates, such as age and diagnostic markers, ...

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) used in fertility clinics include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), followed by embryo transfer into the biological or a surrogate mother. Over 1,000,000 liveborn offspring--an estimated 1 in 150 United States newborns--have been produced worldwide by ART since 1978. IVF appears to ...

Over the last 2 decades, increased pregnancy success has been achieved by assisted reproductive technology (ART) at the expense of perinatal well-being from a corresponding rise in multiple births. Multiple pregnancies increase the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Together with recent concerns about possible ...

This article reviews current laboratory techniques and procedures used for in vitro fertilization (IVF). The review covered relevant peer-reviewed articles in areas of IVF and associated treatment methods, such as embryo culture, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, cryopreservation and preimplantation genetic diagnosis and in vitro maturation. The availability of ...

PURPOSE: To report a trizygotic quintuplet pregnancy following simultaneous embryo splitting in an oocyte donation cycle after transfer of 3 embryos. METHODS: A 40-year-old Caucasian female G3P1 with two previous spontaneous abortions and diminished ovarian reserve presented for IVF. The patient underwent an oocyte donation cycle secondary to diminished ovarian ...