Korean J Reprod Med.  2010 Mar;37(1):65-72.

The Comparison of Pregnancy Outcomes between Elective Two and Three Cleavage-state Embryos Transfer in Fresh IVF-ET

• Lyu SW
• Won HJ
• Lee WS
• Han JE
• Kim AR
• Kim YS
• Seok HH
• Yoon TK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the respective pregnancy outcomes of cycles undergoing elective two cleavage-stage embryos transfer (2ET) and three cleavage-stage embryos transfer (3ET) in fresh in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective matched case control study that included 100 women with 2ET and 100 women with 3ET from January 2007 to June 2009. Subjects were matched for reproductive profiles and cycle characteristics. All of transferred embryos in both groups had good qualities. 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 2ET and 3ET groups were not statistically different; implantation rate (41.0% vs. 35.3%), positive pregnancy rate (58.0% vs. 60.0%), clinical PR (55.0% vs. 59.0%), ongoing PR (51.0% vs. 55.0%), respectively. However, the 3ET group showed significantly higher multiple pregnancy and triplet pregnancy rates (30.9% vs. 50.8%, p=0.031; 1.8% vs. 11.9%, p=0.036, respectively).
CONCLUSION
In women with favorable conditions and good quality embryos undergoing IVF, 2ET can get pregnancy outcomes comparable to those of 3ET and reduce multiple pregnancy (especially, triplet pregnancy).

Keyword

In vitro fertilization; 2 day Embryo transfer; 3 day Embryo transfer; Pregnancy outcome; Multiple pregnancy

MeSH Terms

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