Embryo transfer (ET) is the final, yet crucial step in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Various steps in an IVF cycle can proceed successfully up to the ET stage in about 80% of the cases (1). But, unfortunately, only a small percentage of them achieve pregnancy. The technique of ET has not received enough attention (2,3), as clearly illustrated from the number of scientific publications on ET in the literature relative to the articles published on IVF in general (4). A Medline search revealed that the number of scientific publications on human IVF in the years from 1978–2005 is 16,445 | 20_ Embryo Transfer Technique Ragaa Mansour The Egyptian IVF-ET Center Cairo Egypt INTRODUCTION Embryo transfer ET is the final yet crucial step in in vitro fertilization IVF . Various steps in an IVF cycle can proceed successfully up to the ET stage in about 80 of the cases 1 . But unfortunately only a small percentage of them achieve pregnancy. The technique of ET has not received enough attention 2 3 as clearly illustrated from the number of scientific publications on ET in the literature relative to the articles published on IVF in general 4 . A Medline search revealed that the number of scientific publications on human IVF in the years from 1978-2005 is 16 445. Only 394 articles were directed towards the technique of ET. Obviously to most clinicians the ET technique is a simple procedure. It only means a simple task of inserting the ET catheter in the uterine cavity and ejecting the embryos. Unfortunately it is not as simple as it looks and it is easier to said than done 5 . The ET technique may directly influence the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques ART . It has been demonstrated that there is a significant difference in the pregnancy rates associated with different individuals performing the ET within the same IVF program 6 7 . In contrast Visser et al. 8 reported no significant difference among pregnancy rates obtained by three different clinicians. However when the transfer procedure is standardized the probability of success in IVF is not dependent on the physician 9 . The need to standardize the protocol for ET technique was 435 436 Mansour regarded as the most important factor influencing the success rate in IVF in a survey of 80 IVF practitioners 10 . Moreover it is estimated that poor ET technique may account for as much as 30 of all failures in assisted reproduction 11 . Unfortunately this failure must have affected thousands of infertile couples seeking pregnancy through assisted reproduction .
