Embryo afterloading: a refinement in embryo transfer technique that may increase clinical pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Given the importance of ET technique during assisted reproductive technology cycles, we evaluated the effect of embryo afterloading subsequent to placement of the ET catheter on pregnancy rates vs. a standard direct ET.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis.


METHODS
University-based assisted reproductive technology program.


METHODS
Patients undergoing a fresh nondonor day 3 ET by a single provider over a 1-year period.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Clinical pregnancy.


RESULTS
One hundred twenty-seven patients met inclusion criteria, and the overall pregnancy rate was 46.5%. There was no difference between the two groups with respect to age, basal FSH, or number of embryos transferred. The ET method used was at the discretion of the provider. There was no difference between the two groups in the presence of blood on the transfer catheter. However, there were significantly more transfer catheters with mucus contamination in the direct transfer group (25.58% vs. 5.95%). The clinical pregnancy rate in the group with ET using the afterloading technique was higher than in the direct ET group (52.4% vs. 34.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a trend toward an increase in pregnancy rate when an embryo afterloading technique was used. A prospective randomized trial is needed to examine this issue.
Neithardt
Adrienne B
AB
Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. neithara@mail.nih.gov
Segars
James H
JH
Hennessy
Sasha
S
James
Aidita N
AN
McKeeby
Jeffrey L
JL
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D015331:Cohort Studies; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies