Multiple Attempts at Embryo Transfer do not Adversely Affect in-vitro Fertilization Pregnancy Rates: Related Mucus Contamination

Jung, Byeong Jun; Kim, Jong Sik; Kwon, Cheo Jin; Ryu, Mi Jin; Kim, Myung Sin; Kang, Eun Hee; Sim, Jong Ok; Song, Hyun Jin; Oh, Ik Hwan

Abstract

OBJECTiVE
We investigate the effects of multiple attempts of embryo transfer because of retained embryos in the catheter and of contaminated mucus on the transferred catheter.
MATERiALS AND METHODS
We respectively analysed data between November 1998 and August 2002 from 305 patients of 369 cycles who underwent iVF-ET. Of these patients, 47 patients of 50 cycles (Group 2) were required multiple trial of embryo transfer. They were compared with an age-matched control groups (Group 1) with female factor infertility. Pearson's c2 and Fisher's tests were used to compare proportions between discrete variables. Non-categorical data were compared using t-test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS
Embryos were significantly more likely to be retained when catheter was contaminated with mucus (Group 1: 22.4%; Group 2: 44.0%). The clinical pregnancy rates, however, for the contaminated mucus or not, were 46.8%, 43.5% respectively. There was no significant difference clinical pregnancy rate between those who had all their embryos transferred at the first attempt (45.4%) and those who required more than one attempt (48.0%).
CONCLUSiONS
Contaminated mucus in the catheter is associated with failed embryo transferred at the first attempt. Embryo transfers, however, that are repeated attempts do not adversely affect pregnancy rates following iVF-ET.