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The optimal frozen embryo transfer strategy for the recurrent implantation failure patient without blastocyst freezing: thawing day 3 embryos and culturing to day 5 blastocysts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2023

Xiang Li ,
Youman Zeng ,
Juan He ,
Bowen Luo ,
Xiongcai Lu ,
Lingling Zhu ,
Zengyu Yang ,
Fuman Cai ,
Sheng-ao Chen  and
Yudi Luo Open the ORCID record for Yudi Luo [Opens in a new window]
Xiang Li
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Youman Zeng
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Juan He
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Bowen Luo
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Xiongcai Lu
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Lingling Zhu
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Zengyu Yang
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Fuman Cai
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
Sheng-ao Chen
Affiliation:
College of Animal Sciences, Tarim University, Alar, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 843300, China
Yudi Luo*
Affiliation:
Reproductive Medicine Center, Yulin Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yulin Guangxi 537000, China
*
Corresponding author: Yudi Luo; Email: 506610571@qq.com
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Summary

This study aimed to investigate the optimal frozen embryo transfer (FET) strategy for recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients with three consecutive failed cleaved embryo implantations and no blastocyst preservation. This retrospective analysis was divided into three groups based on the FET strategy: thawed day 3 embryo transfer (D3 FET group); and extended culture of frozen–thawed day 3 embryos to day 5 blastocysts transfer (D3–D5 FET group); thawed blastocyst transfer (D5 FET group). Transplant cycle data were compared between the three groups. In total, 43.8% of vitrified–thawed cleavage embryos developed into blastocysts. Analysis of the three transplantation strategies showed that, compared with the D3 FET group, D3–D5 had a significantly better hCG-positivity rate and live-birth rate (P < 0.05). Pregnancy outcomes in the D3–D5 FET group and D5 FET group were similar regarding hCG-positivity rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live-birth rate. Our findings propose two potentially valuable transfer strategies for patients experiencing repeated implantation failures. The D3–D5 FET approach presents a greater potential for selecting promising embryos in cases without blastocyst preservation; however, this strategy does entail the risk of cycle cancellation. Conversely, in instances where blastocyst preservation is an option, prioritizing consideration of the D5 FET strategy is recommended.

Keywords

BlastocystDay 3 embryoFrozen–thawed embryo transferIn vitro embryo cultureRepeated implantation failure
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 31 , Issue 6 , December 2023 , pp. 596 - 604
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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