Objective
To evaluate delivery rate and multiple pregnancy rates in ART (assisted reproductive techniques) following introduction of an elective single embryo tranfer (eSET) policy. This strategy was started in 2002 including transfer of one embryo for women less than 35 years with a least two good quality embryo during their first or second attempts.
Patients and methods
Retrospective study including all IVF cycles performed in the IVF centre of Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital from 01/01/2001 to 31/12/2010. Main outcome measures were number of embryos transferred, cumulative delivery and multiple pregnancy rates (including fresh and frozen embryo transfers). A subgroup analysis including patients¡¯ age was done.
Results
Cumulative delivery rate reached 27,3 % in 2010 with a significant drop in multiple pregnancy rate: from 30 % in 2001 to 7,9 % in 2010. The average number of transferred embryo decreased from 2.29 to 1.55 in the same period. In our centre, eSET was performed in 85 % of first IVF attempt and in 34,4 % of second attempts for women less than 35 years.
Conclusion
The implementation of an eSET policy does not change the delivery rate but significantly decrease the number of multiple pregnancies compared to double embryo transfer. eSET should be carried out during the 1st and 2nd attempts in patients under 35 years when at least two good quality embryos were obtained.
