Comparison of pregnancy outcomes of cervical mucus washing with physiologic saline solution or G-Rinse medium solution, in elective single-embryo transfers

Abstract

Aim To compare the pregnancy outcomes between physiologic saline and G-Rinse medium solution for cervical mucus washing, in fresh elective single-embryo transfers (ET) in women under the age of 37. Material and methodsThis was a retrospective data analysis performed in a single in vitro fertilization (IVF) center between February 2018 and November 2021. Women younger than 37 years who underwent single elective ET were included and all women had anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels ≥ 1.5 ng/ml. Age, body mass index (BMI), AMH levels, and pregnancy outcomes as clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) were analyzed. Results Study population consisted of 75 women in the G-Rinse medium solution group and 97 women in the physiologic saline group. Clinical pregnancy rate was 58.7% and 61.9% in the G-Rinse medium solution group and saline group, respectively (p = 0.673), and LBR was calculated as 41.3% and 47.4% in the G-Rinse medium solution group and saline group, respectively (p = 0.430). A log-binomial regression model was used and the model was adjusted for BMI to evaluate the effect of the cervical mucus washing method on the pregnancy outcomes. There was an estimated 5% decrease in the relative risk for CPR in the G-Rinse medium solution group compared to the saline group (95% CI: 0.74 to 1.2, p = 0.673). There was an estimated 13% reduction in the relative risk for LBR in the G-Rinse medium solution group compared to the saline group (95% CI: 0.62 to 1.23, p = 0.430). They were both statistically not significant. Conclusion In our study, the replacement of using G-Rinse medium solution to physiologic saline solution for cervical cleaning did not change CPR and LBR outcomes. Using physiologic saline solution can be a good alternative approach for ectocervical washing during embryo transfer in selected population because of its lower costs, easy accessibility, and common use.

Embryo Transfer Procedural Parameters Do Not Predict IVF Cycle Outcome

“…The management of patients with excess cervical mucus during ET is challenging. The presence of cervical mucus increases the possibility of embryos being retained in the ET catheter [ 24 ]. Embryo retention following the initial transfer attempt is not a common event; however, it may create anxiety for both patients and practitioners as this event may jeopardize the deposition of embryos in the uterine cavity, preventing the implantation process [ 8 , 17 ].…”