Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrasound Guidance Is Not Necessary During Easy Embryo Transfers

  • Assisted Reproduction
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether the use of ultrasound (US) to guide embryo transfer (ET) in a population previously defined as likely to have easy transfer would change the implantation and pregnancy rates in an ICSI program.

Methods: A total of 100 patients identified as likely to have easy transfer after mock transfer were divided into two groups: Group I, US-guided ET (N=50) and Group II, ET without the aid of US (N=50).

Results: Implantation and pregnancy rates were similar (p=0.51, p=0.29) for Group I (19.6%, 42%) and Group II (16.3%, 30%), as also was the abortion rate (p=0.55) (Group I: 1/21; Group II: 2/15).

Conclusion: As long as previous mock transfers are routinely performed during a cycle preceding assisted reproduction and the clinician considers transfer to be easy, ultrasound does not benefit the process of embryo transfer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Mansour R, Aboulghar M, Serour G: Dummy embryo transfer: A technique that minimizes the problems of embryo transfer and improves the pregnancy rate in human in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1990;54:678–681

    Google Scholar 

  • Knutzen V, Stratton CJ, Sher G, McNamee PI, Huang TT, Soto-Albors C: Mock embryo transfer in early luteal phase, the cycle before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: A descriptive study. Fertil Steril 1992;57:156–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharif K, Afnan M, Lenton W: Mock embryo transfer with a full bladder immediately before the real transfer for in vitro fertilization treatment: The Birmingham experience of 113 cases. Hum Reprod 1995;10:1715–1718

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickler R, Christianson C, Crane J: Ultrasound guidance for human embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1985;43:54–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolcott R, Stanger J: Potentially important variables identified by transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer. Hum Reprod 1997;12:963–966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kan A, Abadalla H, Gafar A: Embryo transfer: Ultrasound-guided versus clinical touch. Hum Reprod 1999;14:1259–1261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franco JG Jr, Baruffi RL, Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Chufallo JE, Felipe V, Garbellini E: Prospective randomized comparison of ovarian blockade with nafarelin versus leuprolid during ovarian stimulation with recombinant FSH in an ICSI program. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001;18:593–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svalander P, Forsberg A, Jakobsson A, Wikland M: Factors of importance for the establishment of a successful program of intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment for male infertility. Fertil Steril 1995;63:828–837

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauri AL, Petersen CG, Baruffi RL, Franco JG Jr: A prospective, randomized comparison of two commercial media for ICSI and embryo culture. J Assist Reprod Genet 2001;18:378–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wisanto A, Janssens R, Deschacht J: Performance of different embryo transfer catheters in human in vitro fertilization process. Fertil Steril 1989;52:79–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonen Y, Dirnfeld M, Goldman S: Does the choice of catheter for embryo transfer influence the success rate of in-vitro fertilization? Hum Reprod 1991;6:1092–1094

    Google Scholar 

  • Goudas V, Hammitt D, Damario M: Blood on the embryo transfer catheter is associated with decreased rates of embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy with the use of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1998;70:878–882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharif K, Afinan M, Lashen H: Is bed rest following embryo transfer necessary? Fertil Steril 1998;69:478–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Crespigni LJ, O’Herlihy C, Hoult IJ, Robinson HP: Ultrasound in an in vitro fertilization program. Hum Reprod 1981;35:25–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenz S, Lauritsen JG: Ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration of human follicles under local anesthesia: A new method of collecting oocytes for in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1982;38:673–677

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickler RC, Christianson C, Crane JP, Curato A, Knight AB, Yang V: Ultrasound guidance for human embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1985;43:54–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong M, Leung C, Tucker M, Wong C, Chan H: Ultrasound-assisted embryo transfer. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf 1986;3:383–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindheim SR, Cohen MA, Sauer MV: Ultrasound guided embryo transfer significantly improves pregnancy rates in women undergoing oocyte donation. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1999;66:281–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood EG, Batzer FR, Go KJ, Gutmann JN, Corson SL: Ultrasound-guided soft catheter embryo transfers will improve pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod 2000;15:107–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shawaf T, Dave R, Harper J, Linehan D, Riley P, Craft I: Transfer of embryos into the uterus: how much do technical factors affect pregnancy rates? J Assist Reprod Genet 1993;10:31–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Woolcott R, Stanger J: Ultrasound tracking of the movement of embryo-associated air bubbles on standing after transfer. Hum Reprod 1998;13:2107–2109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurley V, Osborn J, Leoni M, Leeton J: Ultrasound guided embryo transfer: a controlled trial. Fertil Steril 1991;55:559–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Coroleu B, Carreras O, Veiga A, Martell A, Martinez F, Belil I, Barri P: Embryo transfer under ultrasound guidance improves pregnancy rates after in–vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod 2000;15:616–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fanchin R, Righini C, Olivennes F, Taylor S, de Ziegler D, Frydman R: Uterine contractions at the time of embryo transfer alter pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod 1998;13:1968–1974

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José G. Franco Junior.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martins, A.M.V.d.C., Baruffi, R.L.R., Mauri, A.L. et al. Ultrasound Guidance Is Not Necessary During Easy Embryo Transfers. J Assist Reprod Genet 21, 421–425 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-004-8757-3

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-004-8757-3

Navigation