Transfer of Human Blastocyst Following In Vitro Culture for Five Days in In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

Kim, Seok Hyun; Ku, Seung Yup; Jee, Byung Chul; Kim, Eun Kyung; Chun, Eun Kyung; Kim, Hee Sun; Oh, Sun Kyung; Suh, Chang Suk; Choi, Young Min; Kim, Jung Gu; Moon, Shin Yong; Lee, Jin Yong

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of human blastocyst transfer following in vitro culture for five days in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and to compare the efficiency of P1-BL and G1-G2 media in the culture of human blastocyst.
METHODS
Seventy-two infertile patients undergoing blastocyst transfer in IVF-ET were classified into the conventional IVF (n=52) and ICSI (n=20) groups, and P1-BL (n=37) and G1-G2 (n=35) groups. The outcomes of blastocyst transfer cycles were evaluated and compared, respectively.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the outcomes of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and IVF-ET, such as duration of COH, total dosage of gonadotropins used, serum estradiol (E2) level on hCG day, numbers of oocytes retrieved and fertilized, and number of blastocysts transferred between the conventional IVF and ICSI groups, and between P1-BL and G1-G2 groups, respectively. Total blastulation rate was significantly higher in IVF group than ICSI group (53.6% vs. 37.3%, p<0.05). Implantation, clinical pregnancy, and multiple pregnancy rates were significantly higher in IVF group than ICSI group (15.1% vs. 4.1%, p<0.05; 36.5% vs. 15.0%, p<0.05; 36.8% vs. 0%, p<0.01). There were no significant differences in total blastulation, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rates between P1-BL and G1-G2 groups. However, multiple pregnancy rate was significantly higher in G1-G2 group than P1-BL group (60.0% vs. 8.3%, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In human blastocyst transfer following in vitro culture for five days in IVF-ET, conventional IVF showed better outcomes of embryo development and pregnancy than ICSI. The efficiency of P1-BL media in the culture of human blastocyst was comparable to that of G1-G2 media. Further investigation will be necessary to compare the efficiency of various media in the blastocyst culture and to confirm the risk of multiple pregnancy in cases using G1-G2 media.