Transfer of six or more embryos improves success rates in patients with repeated in vitro fertilization failures.

Objective: To examine the results of six or more embryos transferred to patients whose IVF-ET cycles repeatedly met with failure.
Design: Prospective clinical evaluation of pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcome.
Setting: IVF-ET Unit.
Patients: Seventy-two IVF patients who had failed at least four previous IVF cycles.
Interventions: Forty-one patients (group A) received six or more embryos, and 31 patients (group B) chose to receive five embryos.
Main Outcome Measures: Per embryo implantation rate, pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancies, and outcome were evaluated.
Results: With the transfer of six or more embryos, the pregnancy rate was significantly higher than with the transfer of five embryos (56% versus 29%, respectively). This was associated with a slight, but insignificant, increase in multiple gestations. No difference in pregnancy outcome was noted among the groups.
Conclusions: Patients who have had repeated IVF failures may have higher pregnancy rates if six or more embryos are transferred in subsequent cycles.