day 2 versus day 3 embyros.....

I was interested as to why my clinic does day 2 transfers..... and came across this article that I thought others may be interested in.....

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A prospective, randomized study comparing day 2 and day 3 embryo transfer in human IVF

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• H. Laverge1,
  
• P. De Sutter,
  
• J. Van der Elst and
  
• M. Dhont

+Author Affiliations

• Infertility Centre, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

• Received May 12, 2000.
• Accepted November 13, 2000.

Abstract

It is believed that delayed transfer of embryos after IVF allows for a better selection of good quality embryos. Hence, the number of embryos and all other prognostic factors being equal, transfer of day 3 embryos should be associated with higher implantation and pregnancy rates than transfer of day 2 embryos. To investigate this hypothesis, a prospective randomized study was carried out to compare implantation and pregnancy rates between day 2 and day 3 transfers. The relationship between the embryo quality score of day 2 and day 3 embryos and their respective implantation rates was also analysed. In a 2 year period all patients undergoing infertility treatment and in whom at least seven normally fertilized oocytes were obtained were included in the study. A minimization procedure was performed taking into account the patient's age and the method of fertilization (IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection). By using a uniform policy of embryo transfer, the number of embryos transferred was similar in both groups. The outcome parameters were embryo quality, implantation and pregnancy rates. No difference was observed in implantation and pregnancy rates between transfers on day 2 versus day 3 (23.8 versus 23.8% and 47.9 versus 46.8% respectively). The incidence of embryos of moderate to poor quality was higher in embryos cultured for 3 days compared with those cultured for 2 days. It is concluded that the outcomes of embryo transfer in terms of implantation and pregnancy rates are comparable for day 2 and day 3 embryos, although the overall embryo quality score decreases when embryos are kept in culture till day 3.

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http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/3/476.full

just thought I'd share ;)

I actually just read that the most fraught development period for embies is day 4-5, so this makes sense.

Interesting! The cycle we did ivf they were aiming for day 5. On day 3 all of my embies were 8 cell and more including a compacting morula then on day 5 none made it to blast. I often wonder if that cycle would have worked with an earlier transfer...

I have had day 2,3 and day 5 transfers. One BFP (this one) day 3 and one BFP (last time) day 5. In the beginning my embies were getting to day 5 but the last two cycles not many made it. This cycle they ended up freezing my remaining one at day 3. More so that I could do assisted hatching again if need be.

Thanks for sharing myturn.

Of course there are pros and cons with every decision in this process, and there are very good reasons for going to day 5, but I was interested to read this, as I had always wondered why they did them at day 2 when everyone else seemed to have at least day 3s......

my FS this morning was saying one of mine would not freeze, but that was still okay for transfer, so... if we had have left it it might not develop further, but tucked nice and cosy inside me, it might implant.....

anyway..... I guess that's what makes some of this all about luck, you just never know whats going to work and what won't....

One of the girls in here was like you and now her bubba is a couple of months old. She got the call to say that her embies were not doing so well, to come in a few days earlier than expected and her fs said to put both in. Both stuck, but sadly she lost one down the track. Now she one perfect bubba.

So I guess our body is definately the best place for our embies.

My FS said that they like to do day 5's transfers (if possible) as by day 5, they would have naturally arrived in the uterus. Younger embryos would still be in the tube and I guess thats why they change the solution late on day 3.

Having said that PLENTY of women get pg with younger embies. Me included!

I also read the embies dont like to be in the light as its dark inside, yet my clinic has shares in ETSA and has a bajillion lights on with transfer. :dunno:

My thing is, if the embie is going to make it, its going to make it :) Go you little embie! Stick and grow...stick and grow...STICK and GROW!!!

I agree.... if it's gunna, it will.... but it doesn't hurt to research like mad - it's the only thing you have control over ;)

Barging in.....

My FS wanted to do a day 3 transfer but I had 10 embies and demanded we thaw 3 and put the best day 5 back.

I want expecting identical twins! But I am a strong believer in FET and a day 5 embie

Barging out xx