Analysis of low-quality embryo transfer strategy in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer cycle

To investigate the transfer strategy of low-quality embryo in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle. A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 621 IVF-ET cycles under controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, including 574 fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles (Group T1) and 47 frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) as the first ET cycles (Group C1). Logistic regression was used to model the probability of clinical pregnancy rate based on the cycle-specific factors. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in Group C1 than Group T1 [38.3% (18/47) vs 22.1% (127/574), P < 0.05]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patient age and ET method were significantly associated with the clinical pregnancy rate. After adjusting for patient age, the clinical pregnancy rate remained significantly higher in Group C1 than Group T1 (OR: 2.107, 95%CI: 1.128 - 3.939, P < 0.05). The use of FET instead of fresh ET may improve the clinical pregnancy rate in low-quality embryo cycles.