EFFECT OF ASPIRATING NEEDLE CALIBER ON OUTCOME OF IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

Thirty patients with intact ovaries undergoing ultrasound-guided trans vaginal oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization treatment had thei r ovaries randomized for follicular aspiration with small and large as piration needles while under mild sedation. Collections using smaller diameter needles had no significant effect upon the number of oocytes collected per follicle aspirated, or on the subsequent fertilizing cap acity of those oocytes. There was significant reduction in pain percei ved by the patient when the smaller needle was used during the collect ion.