RESULTS OF DECENTRALIZED IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION TREATMENT WITH TRANSPORT AND SATELLITE CLINICS

The results of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments carried out in a university IVF centre are compared with those obtained following 15- 40 min transportation of oocytes from a transport ZVF clinic to the ce ntral IVF laboratory of the university centre, Moreover, treatment res ults following monitoring of ovarian stimulation in satellite clinics, combined with ovum retrieval at the transport clinic and transport of oocytes to the central IVF laboratory, are described, In a total of 5 540 IVF treatment cycles, 24-26% of viable pregnancies per embryo tran sfer were found in the three groups, Comparison of results, obtained w ith the three different treatment modalities, showed no negative influ ences of transporting oocytes from transport clinic to IVF laboratory and of monitoring ovarian stimulation in satellite clinics, It is conc luded that decentralization of the clinical phase of IVF treatment is possible. This leads to a more optimal use of existing laboratory faci lities in large urban areas. It is stressed that good communication be tween satellite clinic, transport clinic and IVF laboratory is necessa ry for a decentralized IVF programme, To obtain good quality assurance , both the satellite clinic and the transport clinic must adhere to th e same protocol.