The effect of selecting oocytes for insemination and transferring all resultant embryos without selection on outcomes of assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of selecting three best oocytes for insemination and transfer of all resultant embryos on outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).


METHODS
Comparative study.


METHODS
The Center of Reproductive Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.


METHODS
Women undergoing ART during the period March 10, 2004 to March 9, 2006.


METHODS
Comparing outcomes of ART following transfers of 3 "excellent" (n = 267) embryos and cycles in which none of the embryos was considered "excellent quality" (n = 176).


METHODS
Rates of fertilization, pregnancy, "take-home baby," and multiple pregnancies.


RESULTS
The average number of retrieved oocytes and the average number of inseminated oocytes of good quality were similar in both groups. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed four to five times more often in cycles without "excellent quality" irrespective of the patient's age (odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 3.0, 7.1). The two groups had similar rates of implantation, total pregnancies/ET, clinical intrauterine pregnancy, singleton and multiple births, and "take-home" baby rate. This similarity persisted irrespective of the patient's age.


CONCLUSIONS
The selection of oocytes for insemination and transfer of all available embryos irrespective of their quality did not change outcomes of ART.
La Sala
Giovanni Battista
GB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Nicoli
Alessia
A
Villani
Maria Teresa
MT
Di Girolamo
Roberta
R
Capodanno
Francesco
F
Blickstein
Isaac
I
D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide