Single embryo transfer

Milingos, D.S.; Bhattacharya, S.

doi:10.1016/j.ogrm.2009.04.002

« Previous Next »Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine
Volume 19, Issue 8 , Pages 229-231, August 2009

Single embryo transfer

DS Milingos is a Specialty Trainee at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK

S Bhattacharya is a Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and is Head of Section of Applied Medicine, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK

Abstract

The traditional policy of transferring more than one embryo in an attempt to increase success rates is responsible for the high numbers of multiple pregnancies associated with in-vitro fertilisation. Elective single embryo transfer is the most effective way of reducing multiples and the associated risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity. In selected patients, the combination of such a policy with the opportunity to transfer additional frozen thawed embryos in successive cycles can lead to cumulative livebirth rates similar to those following double embryo transfer. Appropriate eligibility criteria, improvement of cryopreservation techniques and funding arrangements are likely to increase the uptake of elective single embryo transfer.

Keywords: elective single embryo transfer, frozen thawed embryo transfer, in-vitro fertilisation, multiple pregnancies