Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Embryo Transfer

  • Chapter
Clinical In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

In order to gain knowledge and to maximize the efficiency of embryo transfer to the uterine cavity following in vitro fertilization, it is important to appreciate the complexities of the natural process. Our knowledge of tubal factors contributing to oocyte entry into the tube, fertilization, nourishment of the embryo and the control mechanisms operating to synchronize embryo transport into the uterine cavity at a time when it is capable of further development and eventual successful implantation is incomplete, particularly in the human (Pauerstein and Eddy 1979). Transport of ova in women is characterized by retention in the ampulla for approximately 72 h followed by rapid transit through the isthmus, and the time from ovulation to arrival in the endometrial cavity is about 80 h (Croxatto and Ortiz 1975). Less is known of the mechanisms regulating ovum or zygote transport. It has been demonstrated that the ovum’s or embryo’s inability to pass the ampullary-isthmic junction coincides with the presence of oestrogen-dependent tenacious mucus in the isthmic lumen during the ovulatory and immediate postovulatory period, which may aid sperm transport against the normal cilia beat which is not well developed at this stage of the cycle (Jansen 1980). It is hypothesized that 2 to 3 days after ovulation, when progesterone levels are high, the mucus disappears coincident with the appearance of isthmic cilia, which beat towards the uterus, and relaxation of the isthmic musculator, thus allowing oocyte or embryo transport to the uterus. In non-human primates, premature entry of the embryo into the uterus significantly reduces implantation rates (Adams 1980).

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adams CE (1979) Consequences of accelerated ovum transport, including are-evaluation of Estes’ operation. J Reprod Fertil 55: 239–246

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adams CE (1980) Retention and development of eggs transferred to the uterus at various times after ovulation in the rabbit. J Reprod Fertil 60: 309–315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afzelius BA, Camner P, Mossberg B (1978) On the function of cilia in the female reproductive tract. Fertil Steril 29: 72–74

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asche A (1980) A.I.D. and the Law. In: Wood C (ed) Artificial insemination by donor, 1st edn. Monash University Press, Melbourne, pp 109–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbosa JC, Maia H, Dourado V, Coutinho E (1980) Effect of prostagiandin F2 on oviduct contractility in Marmoset monkeys. Fertil Steril 33: 197–200

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biggers JD (1979) In vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer in the human. In: Ethics Advisory Board, Department of H.E.W: Appendix, H.E.W. Support of Research involving Human In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, May 4, 1979, paper no. 8. US Government Printing Office, Stock No. 017-040-00454-1, Washington, DC. 20402

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggers JD (1981) In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in human beings. N Engl J Med 304: 336–342

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brand A, Drost M (1977) Embryo transfer by non-surgical methods. In: Betteridge KJ (ed) Embryo transfer in farm animals. Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, pp 31–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Brand A, Traverne MAM, van der Weyden GC, Aarts MH, Dieleman SJ, Fontifle P, Drost M, de Bois CHW (1976) Non-surgical embryo transfer in cattle. In: Rowson, LEA (ed) Egg transfer in cattle. Commission of European Communities, Luxembourg, pp 41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosens IA, Vasquez G (1976) Fimbrial microbiopsy. J Reprod Med 16: 171–178

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craft I, McLeod F, Green S, Djahanbakha O, Bernard A, Twigg H (1982) Human pregnancy following oocyte and sperm transfer to the uterus. Lancet i: 1031–1033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Croxatto HB, Ortiz MES (1975) Egg transport in the fallopian tube. Gynec Invest 6: 215–225

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croxatto HB, Ortiz ME, Diag S, Hers R (1979) Attempts to modify ovum transport in women. J Reprod Fertil 55: 231–237

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devota L, Soto E, Magofke AM, Sierralta W (1980) Unconjugated steroids in the fallopian tube and peripheral blood during the normal menstrual cycle. Fertil Steril 3: 613–617

    Google Scholar 

  • Eddy CA, Flores JJ, Archer DR, Pauerstein CJ (1978) The role of cilia infertility: an evaluation by selective microsurgical modification of the rabbit oviduct. Am J Obstet Gynec 132: 814–821

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RG (1973) Physiological aspects of human ovulation, fertilization and cleavage. J Reprod Fertil 18: Suppl 87

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RG (1974) Fertilization of human eggs in vitro: morals, ethics and law. Quart Rev Biol 49: 1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RG, Steptoe PC, Purdy JM (1980) Establishing full-term pregnancies using cleavage embryos grown in vitro. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 87: 737–756

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia J, Jones GS, Acosta AA, Wright GL (1981) Corpus luteum function after follicle aspiration for oocyte retrieval. Fertil Steril 36: 565–572

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon I (1977) Research applications of embryo transfer in cattle. In: Betteridge KJ (ed) Embryo transfer in farm animals. Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, pp 69–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen RPS (1980) Cyclic changes in the human fallopian tube isthmus and their functional importance. Am J Obstet Gynecol 136: 292–308

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kass L (1971) Babies by means of in vitro fertilization: unethical experiments on the unborn? N Eng J Med 285: 1174–1179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kerin JFP, Warnes GM, Broom TJ, Jeffery R, Cox LW (1981a) A simple technique for human embryo transfer into the uterus. Lancet i: 726–727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerin JFP, Broom TJ, Ralph MM, Edmonds DK, Warnes GM, Jeffery R, Crocker JM, Godfrey B, Cox LW, Seamark RF, Matthews CD (1981b) Human luteal phase function following oocyte aspiration from the immediate preovular Graafian follic1e of spontaneous ovular cycles. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 88: 1021–1028

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kerin JFP, Warnes GM, Jeffery R, Broom TJ, Cox LW (1981c) Human endocrine environment conditions following superovulation for extracorporeal fertilization and embryo transfer. (Abstract). Proc. VIIIth Asian & Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Melbourne, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Korenaga M, Kadota T (1981) Changes in mechanical properties of the circular muscle of the isthmus of the human fallopian tube in relation to hormonal domination and post ovulatory time. Fertil Steril 36: 343–350

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer DC, Moore GT, Kramen MA (1976) Baboon infertility produced by embryo transfer. Science 192: 1246

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson RAS, Rowson LEA, Moor RM, Tervit HR (1975) Experiments on egg transfer in the cow and ewe: dependence of the conception rate on the transfer procedure and stage of the oestrous cycle. J Reprod Fertil 45: 101–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leeton J, Trounson A, Jessup D, Wood C (1982) The technique for human embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 38(2): 156–161

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leridon H (1977) Human fertility: The basic components. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindblom B, Hamberger L, Ljung B (1980) Contractile patterns of isolated oviductal smooth muscle under different hormonal conditions. Fertil Steril 33: 283–287

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopata A, Kellow GN, Johnston WIH, Speirs AL, Hoult IJ, Pepperell R, du Plessis YP (1981) Human embryo transfer in the treatment of infertility. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynaecol 21: 156–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marston JH (1979) Personal communications to C. E. Adams. In Adams (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr LR, Trounson AO, Leeton JF, Wood C (1983) Evaluation of normal and abnormal human embryo development during procedures in vitro. In: Beier H, Lindner H (eds) Fertilization of the human egg in vitro. Biological basis and clinical applications. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton H, Rolfe BE, McNeill L, Clarke P, Clarke FM, Clunie GJA (1980) Early pregnancy factor: tissue involved in its production in the mouse. J Reprod Immunol 2: 73–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauerstein CJ, Eddy CA (1979) The role of the oviduct in reproduction; our knowledge and our ignorance. J Reprod Fertil 55: 223–229

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson EP, Musich JR, Behrman SJ (1977) Utero-tubal implantation and obstetric outcome after previous sterilization. Am J Obstet Gynecol 128: 662–665

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sreenan JM (1975) Successful non-surgical transfer of fertilized cow eggs. Vet Rec 96: 490

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sreenan JM, Behan D (1974) Transfer in the cow. Factors affecting pregnancy and twinning rates following bilateral transfers. J Reprod Fertil 41: 497

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steptoe PC, Edwards RG, Purdy JM (1980) Clinical aspects of pregnancies established with cleaving embryos grown in vitro. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 7: 757–768

    Google Scholar 

  • Trounson A (1983) Factors controlling normal embryo development and implantation of human oocytes fertilized in vitro. In: Beier HM, Lindner HR (eds) Fertilization of the human egg in vitro: biological basis and clinical applications. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 233–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Trounson AO, Rowson LEA, Willadsen SM (1978) Non-surgical transfer of bovine embryos. Vet Rec 102: 74

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trounson AO, Mohr LR, Pugh PA, Leeton JF, Wood C (1981) The deep-freezing of human embryo. Proceedings of III World Congress of Human Reproduction, Berlin, p 367

    Google Scholar 

  • Trounson AO, Mohr LR, Wood C, Leeton JF (1982) Effect of delayed insemination on in vitro fertilization, culture and transfer of human embryos. J Reprod Fertil 64: 285–294

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walters W, Singer P (1982) Test-tube babies, 1st edn. Oxford University Press, Melbourne

    Google Scholar 

  • Winston RML (1977) Microsurgical tubocornual anastomosis for reversal of sterilization. Lancet i: 284–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winston RML, Frantzen C, Oberti C (1977) Oviduct function following resection of the ampullary-isthmic junction. Fertil Steril 28: 284

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood C, Trounson AO (1982) In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. In: Bonnar J (ed) Recent advances in obstetrics and gynaecology 14. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 259–282

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. John Leeton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Kerin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Queen Victoria Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Carl Wood CBE, FRCS, FRCOG, FRACOG (Chairman) (Chairman)

  2. Queen Victoria Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Alan Trounson MSc, PhD (Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Leeton, J., Kerin, J. (1984). Embryo Transfer. In: Wood, C., Trounson, A. (eds) Clinical In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3317-9_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-3317-9_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-3319-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-3317-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation