Korean J Obstet Gynecol.
2007 Mar;50(3):523-532.
Clinical efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer according to age of women
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea. seokhyun@snu.ac.kr
- 2Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Korea.
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Korea.
- 4Mirae and Heemang Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to age of women.
METHODS
A total of 211 cycles of IVF?ET were included in this study. The pregnancy outcomes were compared between transabdominal ultrasound?guided embryo transfer (USG-guided group, n=108) and clinical touch technique (Clinical touch group, n=103) groups. Then, comparative analysis was performed in women aged <35 years, 35~37 years and in those > or =38 years.
RESULTS
Clinical characteristics of study subjects did not differ between the two groups. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of duration of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, dose of gonadotropins used, numbers of oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in USG-guided group than Clinical touch group (27.8% vs. 16.5%, p<0.05). This difference was also found in women 35~37 years (27.6% vs. 8.6%, p<0.05), but not in those <35 years. USG-guided group showed a significantly higher implantation rate in women 35~37 years (10.5% vs. 3.4%, p<0.05), but not in those <35 years. In women at 38 years or older, USG-guided group showed higher clinical pregnancy and implantation rates than Clinical touch group (15.0% vs. 7.6%; 4.8% vs. 2.5%, respectively), however the differences were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Transabdominal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer may improve the pregnancy outcomes in IVF-ET cycles, especially in women at age 35 years or older.