News Release

Ideal number of embryos to implant during assisted conception can be 1 or 2 dependent on maternal factors, but never 3 or more for women of any age

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Lancet_DELETED

Controversy exists over how many embryos should be implanted during assisted conception (in-vitro fertilisation/IVF) therapy. New research published Online First by The Lancet shows that, while discretion can be applied in whether to implant one or two embryos, three or more should never be implanted into women of any age. The Article, based on data from the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, is written by Professor Debbie A Lawlor, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Causal Analysis in Translational Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK, and Professor Scott M Nelson, Centre for Population and Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, and Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK, and colleagues.

The study analysed 124 148 IVF cycles overall, which yielded 33 514 livebirths. The researchers compared rates of livebirth, multiple births, low birthweight (<2•5 kg), preterm birth (<37 weeks), and severe preterm birth (<33 weeks) in women younger than 40 years and those aged 40 years or older.

The live birth rate was greater with the transfer of two embryos compared to the transfer of one in both age groups. However, transferring three embryos resulted in a lower live birth rate than transferring two in the younger women and was no different to the success rate with two embryo transfers in older women. Transferring two or three embryos was associated with greater odds of all adverse perinatal outcomes than that of transferring one embryo, but the risk for severe preterm birth was particularly great for the transfer of three embryos.

Overall, the livebirth rate was notably lower in older women than in younger women, irrespective of the number of embryos transferred, but in both age-groups transfer of two embryos led to a better livebirth rate than did transfer of one embryo. However, in older women, the transfer of two embryos versus one was less likely to lead to multiple births, low birthweight, or preterm or severe preterm birth than in younger women (mostly because older women were less likely to maintain twin/multiple pregnancies).

The authors say: "Our findings provide some support for the transfer of two embryos in women older than 40 years, because the risks of preterm and low birthweight were lower than those in younger women. In older and younger women, the transfer of two embryos was associated with greatest livebirth rates…A clear implication of our study, is that transfer of three embryos should no longer be supported in women of any age."

They add*: "In both age-groups, transfer of three embryos did not increase the livebirth rate over that seen after transfer of two embryos, but was associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. We also found that the number of embryos successfully fertilised affected the outcomes, so that in a younger woman with only two or a small number of embryos successfully fertilised there may be a case for transferring two, rather than just one (as legislated in some countries currently). In view of these findings and previous findings, we conclude that no more than two embryos should be transferred into women of any age, but greater freedom should be given to clinicians and patients to decide whether to transfer one or two embryos, according to prognostic indicators, such as maternal age."

Finally both authors say*: "Our results further highlight the importance of age with respect to the likely success of IVF. Couples need to understand that delaying childbirth until older ages of the mother may make it difficult to conceive and harder for IVF to be successful. For doctors seeing a new couple with infertility, moving to IVF sooner rather than later is key when for example the woman is 36 years of age than for example 26 years."

In a linked Comment, Dr Liv Bente Romundstad, Fertility Clinic, St Olavs University Hospital and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, says: "The final decision of whether to transfer one or two embryos should be based on a cooperative approach between embryologists and clinicians, although patients with medical or obstetric contraindications to twin pregnancies should receive no more than one embryo, irrespective of age or other prognostic factors."

She concludes: "Several strategies can be used to lower the risk of multiple births after assisted conception. The provision of information to patients and health-care providers is essential. Public funding to cover treatment costs can facilitate a reduction in the number of transferred embryos, and improvements in embryo freezing techniques will increase the cumulative pregnancy rate per cycle of oocyte retrieval. A combination of these factors will increase the likelihood that the outcome of interest will be achieved: one healthy baby at a time."

###

*Note to editors: Quotes not exactly as they appear in text of Article

Professor Debbie A Lawlor, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Causal Analysis in Translational Epidemiology, University of Bristol, UK (Currently in Adelaide, Australia) T) +61 406417701 E) d.a.lawlor@bristol.ac.uk

Alternative UK based contact for Prof Lawlor: Caroline Clancy, University of Bristol Press Office. T) +44 (0) 117 928 8086 E) Caroline.Clancy@bristol.ac.uk

Professor Scott M Nelson, Centre for Population and Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, and Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. T) +44 (0) 7949 996282 E) scott.nelson@glasgow.ac.uk / also Stuart Forsyth in Press Office T) +44 (0) 141 330 4831 E) Stuart.Forsyth@glasgow.ac.uk

Dr Liv Bente Romundstad, Fertility Clinic, St Olavs University Hospital and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. T) +47 905 50207 E) libero@ntnu.no


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.