Improved clinical outcomes for in vitro fertilization with delay of embryo transfer from 48 to 72 hours after oocyte retrieval: use of glucose- and phosphate-free media.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical outcomes of day 2 versus day 3 ET using a culture media with no glucose or phosphate.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Hospital-based fertility clinic.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-six IVF-ET patients undergoing controlled ovarian supraovulation.


METHODS
IVF and delaying the ET by 1 day.


METHODS
Number of blastomeres per embryo, implantation and pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
Delaying the ET from day 2 to day 3 after oocyte retrieval significantly increased implantation rates (13% versus 24%) and ongoing/delivered pregnancy rates per retrieval (26% versus 44%). Day 3 embryos with > or = 8 blastomeres resulted in a significantly higher pregnancy rate (53%) than day 3 embryos with < 8 cells (23%) and day 2 embryos with > or = 4 cells (31%) or < 4 cells (11%).


CONCLUSIONS
Day 3 ET was associated with a significant increase in implantation and pregnancy rates. Delaying the ET until day 3 may permit the selection of more viable embryos than on day 2. The absence of glucose and phosphate from the culture media is compatible with good IVF outcomes.
Carrillo
A J
AJ
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Lane
B
B
Pridman
D D
DD
Risch
P P
PP
Pool
T B
TB
Silverman
I H
IH
Cook
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010710:Phosphates; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D003470:Culture Media; D010710:Phosphates; D005947:Glucose