Comparison between implantation rate of two and three embryo transfers at cleavage- and blastocyst-stage: A three-year retrospective single-center cohort study from a developing country

Afr J Reprod Health. 2023 Apr;27(4):73-76. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i4.8.

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, multiple embryo transfer is common among fertility clinics for various reasons including endometrial receptivity, number of viable embryos, patient choice, and clinic policy. The study was based on a retrospective analysis of data obtained at the Medical Art Center, Lagos, Nigeria, from January 2018 to December 2020. 518 out of 576 cycles met the inclusion criteria for this study. Implantation was confirmed using β-hCG test results. Our study revealed no significant difference between the total implantation rate of 2-ET and 3-ET. However, there was a significantly higher implantation rate in the 2-ET fresh blastocyst transfer when compared with the 3-ET. 3-ET does not have an implantation rate advantage over 2-ET. Hence, 2-ET is safer to employ when compared to 3-ET for patients in developing countries who cannot afford aneuploidy test for single embryo transfer.

Keywords: Embryo transfer; embryology; in-vitro fertilization; sub-Saharan Africa.

MeSH terms

  • Blastocyst
  • Cohort Studies
  • Developing Countries*
  • Embryo Transfer / methods
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro*
  • Humans
  • Nigeria
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Retrospective Studies