title: Development and integration of an extended embryo culture program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study and evaluate a sequential, extended embryo culture system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated IVF clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  All couples who were treated between October 1997 and July 1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  A standard human tubal fluid plus 10% serum substitute supplement (SSS) culture medium was used. The embryos were transferred to extended culture medium (S2 or G2) on day 3.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blastocyst formation and implantation and pregnancy rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty percent of the 20 donated cryopreserved embryos progressed to the blastocyst stage by day 6. Clinically, 7 (5.6%) of the 125 cycles did not result in a transfer. Blastocyst formation rates ranged from 33%-63% in the five study groups. Implantation rates ranged from 15%-52% and pregnancy rates ranged from 37%-75%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extended culture to day 5 or 6 results in acceptable blastocyst formation rates, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sadler-Fredd
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Burry
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gorrill
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology; D015925:Cryopreservation; D046508:Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors