IVF Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about IVF, including details on in vitro fertilization, infertility, treatment, procedure, pregnancy, success rates.

Day 4 versus day 3 embryo transfer: a prospective study of clinical outcomes.

Pantos K, Makrakis E, Chronopoulou M, Biba M, Perdikaris A, Dafereras A

Center for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes after day 4 or day 3 embryo transfers in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation-IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Center for Human Reproduction, 'Genesis Athens' Clinic (private gynecological and surgical clinic), Athens, Greece. PATIENT(S): Three hundred fifty women with primary infertility and indication for IVF/ICSI treatment. Patients were randomly allocated to day 4 or day 3 embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, oocyte retrieval, IVF/ICSI, embryo transfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Implantation rate; clinical, ongoing, and multiple pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): A trend toward higher clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates was noted after day 4 embryo transfers. Implantation and multiple pregnancy rates were comparable after day 4 or day 3 embryo transfers. CONCLUSION(S): The transfer of day 4 embryos in IVF/ICSI cycles may result in favorable implantation and pregnancy rates which are at least comparable to those after the transfer of day 3 embryos.

Published 11 March 2008 in Fertil Steril, 89(3): 573-7.
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