title: Comparison of the transfer of equal numbers of blastocysts versus cleavage-stage embryos after repeated failure of in vitro fertilization cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of blastocyst transfer in women with at least two previously unsuccessful in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) attempts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 238 couples (with previous implantation failures) had equal number (two) of cleavage-stage embryos (n = 143) or blastocysts (n = 95) transferred in the same IVF center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical pregnancy rates and live-birth rates were similar in the cleavage-stage embryo transfer group and the blastocyst group (35.6% vs. 40% and 32.1% vs. 35.7%; p > 0.05, respectively). Miscarriage rates (9.8% vs. 10.5%) and multiple pregnancy rates (15.6% vs. 23.6%) did not differ. Although implantation rate was higher with blastocyst transfer than that with day 3 transfer, it did not reach to a statistical significance (24.7% and 19%, respectively, p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blastocyst transfer in ICSI cycles does not yield a better outcome than that obtained with cleavage-stage embryos in women who had unsuccessful IVF attempts previously.
authors.affiliation: Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Unit, Ota-Jinemed Hospital, Besiktas, İstanbul, Turkey, karacanmeric@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Meric
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karacan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulug
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arvas
authors.forename: Ziya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cebi
authors.forename: Munip
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berberoglugil
authors.forename: Melike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batukan
authors.forename: Teksen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Camlıbel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic