title: The transfer of two embryos instead of three to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to investigate whether a reduction in the number of embryos transferred from three to two would help reduce the incidence of multiple pregnancies and yet leave the pregnancy rate unaffected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were treated in a routine clinical in vitro fertilization program and the results analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no reduction in the pregnancy rate when two embryos were transferred compared with three. Indeed, there was actually an increase in pregnancy rate after the transfer of two embryos in those cases with one or more embryos remaining after the transfer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transfer of only two embryos compared to three in women younger than 40 years of age does not compromise the chance of pregnancy. Triplets were not seen in the limited series of patients when only two embryos were transferred, but the incidence of twins remained the same. Further consideration should be given to strategies that enable the transfer of single embryos without compromising the pregnancy rate.
authors.affiliation: Concept Fertility Centre, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Australia.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Matson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deakin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bellinge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014310:Triplets; D014427:Twins