A comparison of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer outcome by two types of soft embryo transfer catheters

Abstract

Introduction: One of the remaining challenges in assisted reproductive procedures, especially in vitro fertilization (IVF), is proper embryo transfer. The aim of this clinical trial was to compare IVFembryo transfer outcome by two types of soft embryo transfer catheters in Hamadan Endometrics and Endometriosis Research Center (Iran).

Methods: In this clinical trial study, 100 patients who were candidates for IVF were evaluated. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups (A=50 and B=50). The IVF was identical for both groups until the embryo transfer stage. For group A, soft catheter CH3 PM TRANS SET MINI was used and in group B, KITAZATO soft catheter was used for embryo transfer. All transfers were performed by one person. Patients were recruited using checklists, demographic information, infertility history, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) serum levels at day 14 post-transfer, and pregnancy bag 28 days after transfer. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 16 and using descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-test. The significance level was < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of group A and group B was 30.12 and 29.24 years, respectively (p=0.341). The mean duration of infertility in both groups was not statistically significant, and in groups A and B were 4.89 and 4 years, respectively. Ninety % of group A experienced their first IVF experience, while in group B it was slightly lower than 86%, which was not statistically significant. The mean number of eggs obtained in group A was 9.84 and in the group B was 9.88 (p=0.962). The mean number of embryos formed in group A was 6.24 and in group B was 5.72 (p=0.405). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in using of Tenaculum, the quality of transmission, and the contamination of the catheter head into the blood or mucus.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the use of KITAZATO catheter compared to PM TRANS SET MINI CH3 catheter for fetal transfer in IVF patients showed no significant difference in pregnancy success rate. However, patients who received the KITAZATO catheter had a slightly higher chance of pregnancy that could be clinically valuable.