Culture and transfer of human blastocysts increases implantation rates and reduces the need for multiple embryo transfers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the transfer of blastocysts on day 5, developed in sequential culture media, resulted in an increase in implantation rate compared with embryos transferred on day 3. DESIGN: Comparative study of embryo culture regimes. SETTING: Private practice assisted reproductive technology center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-three patients undergoing routine IVF cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Culture of embryos to day 3 in either standard culture conditions or a serum-free chemically defined medium. One hundred one embryos were subsequently cultured from day 3 to day 5 in a second serum-free medium specifically designed to support development of the blastocyst. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): E..