title: Mock embryo transfer does not affect uterine contractility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the degree of utero-stimulation induced by transcervical introduction of a catheter as in mock ET.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive medicine unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty volunteers undergoing mild ovarian stimulation and IUI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Just before IUI, women had uterine contraction (UC) frequency assessed with 2-minute sagittal ultrasound scans of the uterus (precatheter measurement). Thereafter, one of three types of catheters, each with a different stiffness level (low, n = 25; medium, n = 30; or high, n = 25) was introduced into the cervix up to the inner cervical os, then immediately withdrawn, and the UC frequency reassessed (postcatheter measurement).
  
  
  METHODS
  Percentage change in UC frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median (range) UC frequency was not significantly different at pre- and postcatheter measurements: 2.0 (0.0-4.5) UC per minute and 2.2 (0.0-5.5) UC per minute. In addition, the stiffness of the catheter (low, medium, or high) did not influence the UC frequency, with median (range) percentage of change from pre- to postcatheter measurement at 0 (-100% to +75%), 0 (-100% to +100%), and 0 (-40% to +100%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of a catheter up to the inner cervical os, as usually performed in mock ET, does not stimulate uterine contraction frequency, irrespective of catheter stiffness.
authors.affiliation: Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: Juliano Brum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Scheffer
authors.forename: Luca Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Schönauer
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frydman
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanchin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult