Korean J Reprod Med.  2010 Jun;37(2):143-151.

The Optimal Time for Embryo Transfer in Fresh IVF: Comparison between Day 3 and Day 5 on Pregnancy Outcomes

• Lyu SW
• Kim A
• Seok HH
• Kim YS
• Lee WS
• Yoon TK
• Won HJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare day 3 embryo transfer (D3ET) with day 5 ET (D5ET) in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle on pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective matched case control study that included 90 women with D3ET and 90 women with D5ET from January 2007 to June 2009. Subjects were matched for reproductive profiles and IVF cycle characteristics. Two good quality embryos were transferred in both groups. Pregnancy rates (PR), implantation rate, and multiple PR were compared.
RESULTS
Demographics, stimulation parameters and embryological data were comparable in both groups. Main pregnancy outcomes with D3ET and D5ET groups were not statistically different: implantation rate (39.4% vs. 32.8%), positive PR (57.8% vs. 46.7%), clinical PR (53.3% vs. 45.6%), ongoing PR (50.0% vs. 42.2%), respectively. Both groups showed high multiple PR (37.5% vs. 34.1).
CONCLUSION
D5ET may not be beneficial and necessary in comparison with D3ET on pregnancy outcomes, and elective single ET should be considered to decrease multiple pregnancies in women with favorable conditions and good quality embryos undergoing IVF.

Keyword

Embryo transfer; Cleavage stage; Blastocyst transfer; Pregnancy outcomes

MeSH Terms

Case-Control Studies
Demography
Embryo Transfer
Embryonic Structures
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Rate
Pregnancy, Multiple
Retrospective Studies