SINGLE EMBRYO TRANSFER

A related IVF modality that I encourage is selective single-embryo transfer (SET).

Our selected single embryo transfer program allows patients to try a cycle of IVF even if they are not the perfect age or have a limited of ovarian reserve when evaluated during the menstrual cycle.

This is particularly useful for patients

• Patients over 40
• Patients who have an elevated FSH
• Patients who have a limited ovarian reserve (low antral count during the menstrual cycle)
• Patients who produce multiple follicles/eggs/embryos but only want to transfer one embryo to avoid any chance of multiple birth.
• Patients who generally produce 3 or less eggs even in a stimulated cycle.

Many IVF specialists, especially in Europe, where most countries have a law that limits the number of embryos to be transferred (generally not more than 3) believe  that single embryo transfer will eventually be the norm internationally.
In the Scandinavian countries and Belgium, most transfers today are SET.  In Sweden, for the past several years, SET has been used in 70% of IVF patients.

Why Does SET benefit these patients?
Patients over 40 - In a natural cycle, the body automatically chooses the best egg available during the cycle to develop and eventually be ovulated.  In stimulated cycles, even less competent eggs can develop to maturity, but this may not improve their intrinsic quality .

Patients over 40 or patients with an elevated FSH - will often make 2-3 eggs even with high dose stimulation.  These patients will likely end up making the same number even with minimal-dose stimulation.

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