PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 11704102

Embryo transfer: techniques and variables affecting success.

W B Schoolcraft·E S Surrey·D K Gardner
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the variables affecting embryo transfer success or failure and to define technical factors associated with optimal outcome. DESIGN: Literature review. RESULTS: Avoidance of blood, mucus, bacterial contamination, excessive uterine contractions, and trauma to the endometrium is associated with optimal pregnancy and implantation rates after transcervical embryo transfer. A trial transfer, ultrasonographic guidance, and use of "soft" catheters appear to facilitate successful embryo transfer. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the variables associated with embryo transfer success together with adherence to techniques shown to facilitate atraumatic embryo transfer will enhance the efficiency of IVF by maximizing embryo implantation.

Explore related subjects

BlastocystBlood Physiological PhenomenaEmbryo TransferFemaleHumansMucusPregnancyTreatment OutcomeUltrasonographyUterine ContractionJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

W B Schoolcraft, E S Surrey, D K Gardner. 2001. Embryo transfer: techniques and variables affecting success.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(01)02731-5

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2006

Embryo culture medium: which is the best?

With the growing move in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics to transfer fewer embryos to women, there is an increasing reliance on the IVF laboratory to maximize embryo viability. Subsequently, there is justified scrutiny on the culture system and the media used to sustain the human embryo in vitro. The transfer of fewer embryos to patients also creates an increased dependence on the ability to cryopreserve embryos successfully. Therefore, in addition to the ability of a culture system to produce a single top-quality embryo for transfer, it is also necessary to enhance the cryotolerance of sibling embryos so that they can survive freezing or vitrification. Therefore, when examining which culture media is the best, it is prudent to not only examine the ability of a culture system to produce a pregnancy with the one or two highest-grade embryos, but also to determine how many embryos from the entire cohort (both fresh and frozen embryos) are capable of producing a live birth. Additionally, research on animal models has demonstrated that stress, and the resultant adaptation to conditions during pre-implantation stages, can affect pregnancy loss and fetal growth. It is therefore important to understand the role of each medium component and to identify possible sources of cellular stress to the embryo that will ultimately affect the function and viability of the conceptus.

Blastocyst↗
PubMed2006

[Sequential assessment of individually cultured embryos in IVF].

OBJECTIVE: It is a challenge for IVF centers to propose a method to select the most viable embryo to transfer, thereby minimizing the risk of multiple births. In this study, a prospective investigation was made to determine if non-invasive developmental markers on day 1 combined to conventional evaluation on day 2 can predict in vitro blastocyst development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 4190 individually cultured embryos from patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment at the Tours University Hospital Center from January 2002 to December 2004 were included. Individual embryos were cultured in sequential media in microdrops under mineral oil from j1 to j5/j6 allowing to record their sequential growth until the blastocyst stage. RESULTS: The results showed a significant positive relationship between pattern 0 zygote, early cleavage, 4 cells embryos with < 20% fragmentation on day 2 and the rate of blastocyst development on day 5 (P < 0.05). In our hands, zygote pattern does not bring additional benefit to better select embryo. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Zygote and early cleavage assessments on day 1, morphological appearance on day 2 are some other parameters related individually to blastocyst development on days 5 and 6. These parameters can be used collectively to establish a predictive in vitro sequential embryo assessment model for routine use in IVF clinics.

Blastocyst↗