When an in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is performed, the embryos generated can be used either fresh or frozen. Depending on this, the embryo transfer can be a:
- Fresh transfer
- the embryos are not frozen.
- Frozen transfer
- the embryos are vitrified and used in the future, i.e. in another cycle. This is usual when, for example, the patient suffers from ovarian hyperstimulation.
The delayed transfer is performed when a patient has several embryos and not all of them are transferred in the first fresh transfer. The Spanish Law on Assisted Reproduction Techniques allows the transfer of a maximum of three embryos, but, however, it is usual to transfer only one or two. Therefore, the rest of the embryos (if any) remain vitrified for a later attempt.
On the other hand, delayed transfer is also common when, for example, the patient suffers from ovarian hyperstimulation.
Read the full article on: Embryo transfer: when and how is it done? ( 86).
By Marta Barranquero Gómez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Patricia Recuerda Tomás B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Rut Gómez de Segura M.D. (gynecologist), Sara Salgado B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Silvia Azaña Gutiérrez B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist), Zaira Salvador B.Sc., M.Sc. (embryologist) and Cristina Algarra Goosman B.Sc., M.Sc. (psychologist).
Last Update: 02/22/2022
