Impact of Sequential Double Embryo Transfer on Live Birth Rates: A Case-Control Study.

NCT07499453 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SEQ-ET-2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 778
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the impact and identify potential indications for sequential double embryo transfer (SEQ-ET) in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). The study will compare live birth rates (LBR) between patients receiving SEQ-ET and those receiving standard double embryo transfer (DET), while assessing safety outcomes and potential indications, including endometrial immune under-activation. Each SEQ-ET case will be matched with a DET control based on age, transfer attempt rank, and ART technique. We hypothesize that SEQ-ET may enhance implantation in couples with previous ART failures without increasing the risk of complications, potentially through localized maternal-endometrial immune communication initiated by the initially transferred cleavage-stage embryos.

Conditions

Infertility

Keywords

IVF; Sequential embryo transfer; Live birth rate

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Live birth rate

  LBR defined as delivery of a viable infant beyond 24 weeks of gestation, assessed after the first fresh or frozen blastocyst transfer.

  From first embryo transfer to delivery (up to approximately 9 months).

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Clinical Pregnancy Rate

  6-8 weeks after embryo transfer.

• Miscarriage Rate per Clinical Pregnancy

  Up to 24 weeks of gestation.

• Implantation Rate

  6-8 weeks after embryo transfer.

• Multiple pregnancies

  Up to 9 months

Study Arms (2)

Case group

Patients who underwent a SEQ-ET of one or two cleavage-stage embryos (day 2/3) followed by the transfer of a blastocyst-stage embryo (day 5/6) within the same cycle.

Control group

Patient who underwent a simultaneous DET defined as the transfer of two blastocyst-stage embryos (day 5 or day 6) in the same cycle.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 42 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) at Pierre Rouquès - Les Bluets Hospital between January 2014 and December 2023. Female participants are biologically capable of becoming pregnant and have undergone either sequential double embryo transfer (SEQ-ET) or standard double embryo transfer (DET). The population includes women with a history of previous ART attempts, and does not exclude participants based on the presence or absence of a specific disease or condition.

You may qualify if:

• Infertile patients undergoing IVF with planned SEQ-ET or DET.
• Age ≤ 42 years.

You may not qualify if:

• Age aged 43 years.
• Cycles in which only a single embryo was ultimately transferred and cycles in which no embryo transfer occurred.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hopital Pierre Rouques - Les Bluets: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hôpital Pierre Rouquès - Les Bluets.

Paris, 75012, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Infertility

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Diseases; Urogenital Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 30, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2014
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2023
• Study Completion: September 1, 2024
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

FR (1)