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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on January 29, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh138
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
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Received September 3, 2003
Accepted December 4, 2003

Article

A glance into the uterus during in vitro simulation of embryo transfer

Osnat Eytan 1*, David Elad 2, Uri Zaretsky 2, and Ariel J. Jaffa 3

1 Ultrasound Unit in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv 64239 Israel
2 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
3 Ultrasound Unit in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv 64239, Israel

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: osnate{at}post.tau.ac.il.


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: The currently low implantation rate after embryo transfer (ET) is partially attributed to technical aspects, such as catheter type, catheter load, placement of catheter tip and physician skills. METHODS: Mock ET simulations were conducted with a transparent laboratory model of the uterine cavity. The catheter was loaded with alternating air and coloured liquid media. The transfer procedure was recorded by a digital video camcorder for later analysis. Different sequences of air and liquid volumes, as well as liquids of different viscosity were simulated. RESULTS: Injection of liquid with air into the uterus formed an air bubble which blocked the transport of the transferred liquid towards the fundus. The distribution of the transferred matter within the uterine cavity was determined by the composition of the liquid-air sequence and the viscosity ratio between the transferred liquid and the uterine fluid. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the catheter load should contain minimal volumes of air in order to enhance the embryos’ chances of reaching the site of implantation. The viscosity of the transferred liquid should be as close as possible to that of the uterine fluid in order to avoid transport of embryos towards the cervix.

Key words: Key words: catheter loading/laboratory model/mock embryo transfer/transferred matter


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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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