Optimizing the number of cleavage stage embryos to transfer on day 3 in women 38 years of age and older: a Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology database study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimal number of day 3 embryos to transfer in women >or=38 years by conducting an evidence-based evaluation.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 2000-2004 national SART data.


METHODS
National writing group.


METHODS
A total of 36,103 day 3 embryo transfers in women >or=38 years undergoing their first assisted reproductive technology cycle.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Logistic regression was used to model the probability of pregnancy, delivery, and multiple births (twin or high order) based on age- and cycle-specific parameters.


RESULTS
Pregnancy rates, delivery rates, and multiple rates increased up to transfer of three embryos in 38-year-olds and four in 39-year-olds; beyond this number, only multiple rates increased. In women >or=40 years, delivery rates and multiple rates climbed steadily with increasing numbers transferred. Multivariate analysis confirmed the statistically significant effect of age, number of oocytes retrieved, and embryo cryopreservation on delivery and multiple rates. Maximum FSH level was not an independent predictor by multivariate analysis. Use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection was associated with lowered delivery rate.


CONCLUSIONS
No more than three or four embryos should be transferred in 38- and 39-year-olds, respectively, whereas up to five embryos could be transferred in >or=40-year-olds. Numbers of embryos to transfer should be adjusted according to number of oocytes retrieved and availability of excess embryos for cryopreservation.
Stern
Judy E
JE
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
Goldman
Marlene B
MB
Hatasaka
Harry
H
MacKenzie
Todd A
TA
Surrey
Eric S
ES
Racowsky
Catherine
C
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000465:Algorithms; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D015925:Cryopreservation; D019992:Databases as Topic; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D050498:Live Birth; D016015:Logistic Models; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring; D054315:Oocyte Retrieval; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012955:Societies, Medical; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human