TRANSPORT IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION AND INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION- RESULTS OF A COLLABORATIVE TRIAL

Objective: To determine whether the use of a central assisted reproduc tion laboratory, with gamete transport to the facility (transport assi sted reproduction), would decrease oocyte quality or performance in IV F-ET and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Design: Retrospectiv e clinical study. Setting: Public and private fertility clinics. Patie nt(s): A total of 467 couples underwent transport IVF, whereas 108 und erwent transport ICSI. A group of 60 couples underwent conventional IV F during the same period. All methods and protocols used were similar among centers. Oocyte pick-up was performed by ultrasound-guided vagin al puncture. Intervention(s): Oocytes were transported under controlle d conditions, from the site of follicular aspiration to a central labo ratory. Main Outcome Measure(s): The fertilization and cleavage rates and clinical pregnancies were compared among the study populations. Re sult(s): The differences between the fertilization and cleavage rates of ova and the rates of clinical pregnancies produced by transport and conventional methods were not statistically significant. Conclusion(s ): Gamete transport to a central laboratory was not harmful for oocyte s or for the outcome of assisted reproduction. Transport makes the use of IVF and ICSI available to physicians who are not affiliated with a n assisted reproduction program, reduces costs, and increases acceptab ility of the procedures to patients. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.