Day 2 vs. day 3 embryo transfer after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. A prospective, randomized study
Baruffi, R.L.; Mauri, A.Lucia.; Petersen, C.; Felipe, V.; Franco Júnior, Jé.Gonçalves.
Journal of Reproductive Medicine 48(8): 631-634
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-7758 PMID: 12971145 Document Number: 559245
OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a prospective, randomized study, implantation and pregnancy rates between day 2 and day 3 embryo transfer intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 106 patients undergoing ICSI cycles who had at least 1 embryo suitable for cryopreservation were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: group I, embryo transfer performed on day 2; group II, embryo transfer performed on day 3. RESULTS: Patient ages did not differ (P=.58) between groups I (33.1+-4.5) and II (32.7+-4.4). The number of oocytes retrieved from group I (13.7+-5.2) was similar (P=.82) to that retrieved from group II (13.7+-5.4). In addition, there was no difference (P=.30) in the number of oocytes retrieved at metaphase II between groups I (10.6+-4.4) and II (9.7+-4.2). Fertilization and cleavage rates were also similar (P=.58 and P=.50, respectively) between groups I (78.2+-14.0% and 98.7+-4.3%) and II (76.2+-14.8% and 99.8+-1.24%, respectively). The total number of embryos and of embryos transferred were similar (P=.22 and P=.36; respectively) for groups I (8.0+-3.0, 2.8+-0.7) and II (7.16+-3.2, 2.6+-0.8). Pregnancy rates per transfer, implantation rates and abortion rates were also similar for groups I (43.4%, 20.8% and 8.7%, respectively) and II (41.5%, 24.1% and 23%, respectively) (P=1.0, P=.57 and P=.24, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that extending the embryo culture period from 2 to 3 days for patients who had at least 1 embryo left for cryopreservation had no effect on implantation, pregnancy or abortion rates in an ICSI program.