Abstract
Introduction: Selection criteria of embryo quality applied at day 2 post-ICSI based on blastomere number, size and fragmentation degree, are usually poor predictors of further embryo development potential. Objective: The evaluation of the effect of the number of embryos transferred at day 2, based on their quality (morphological characteristics), on both twining and multiple pregnancy rates. Design: Retrospective study of 782 ICSI cycles (from january 2000 to may 2003) have been considered. A maximum of 4 embryos were transferred in each cycle, and at least 2 of those embryos transferred were of grades 1-2. Pregnancy, implantation and abortion rates were compared when different number of embryos were transferred. Setting: Human Reproduction Service at "La Fe" University Hospital. Results: Pregnancy rate was significantly lower when 2 embryos were transferred (2: 29% vs 3: 37% y 4: 40%; p <0.05). Moreover abortion rate was lower when more than two embryos were transferred, although these differences did not reach levels of significance (2: 21% vs 3: 19% vs 4: 18%; p>0.05). These both facts would suggest to transfer the highest number of embryos as allowed by the legislation. However, when 3 embryos were transferred, both twining (30%) and multiple (11%) pregnancy rates, although similar to that obtained by the majority of ART units, are unacceptable. Conclusions: The selection criteria of embryo quality applied at day 2 post-ICSI, only allows to discriminate and discard those degenerated or blocked embryos. Therefore, the development of new selection criteria of embryo quality at day 2 post-ICSI could reduce the number of embryos transferred without penalize pregnancy rate.
Translated title of the contribution | Incidence of both twins and multiple pregnancy rates when different number of embryos with different quality were transferred at day 2 Post-ICSI |
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Original language | Spanish |
Pages (from-to) | 25-31 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Revista Iberoamericana de Fertilidad y Reproduccion Humana |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - Jan 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Day 2 embryo transfer
- Embryo quality
- ICSI
- Multiple pregnancy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology