1
|
Yang L, Leynes C, Pawelka A, Lorenzo I, Chou A, Lee B, Heaney JD. Machine learning in time-lapse imaging to differentiate embryos from young vs old mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1115-1124. [PMID: 38685607 PMCID: PMC11180621 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Time-lapse microscopy for embryos is a non-invasive technology used to characterize early embryo development. This study employs time-lapse microscopy and machine learning to elucidate changes in embryonic growth kinetics with maternal aging. We analyzed morphokinetic parameters of embryos from young and aged C57BL6/NJ mice via continuous imaging. Our findings show that aged embryos accelerated through cleavage stages (from 5-cells) to morula compared to younger counterparts, with no significant differences observed in later stages of blastulation. Unsupervised machine learning identified two distinct clusters comprising of embryos from aged or young donors. Moreover, in supervised learning, the extreme gradient boosting algorithm successfully predicted the age-related phenotype with 0.78 accuracy, 0.81 precision, and 0.83 recall following hyperparameter tuning. These results highlight two main scientific insights: maternal aging affects embryonic development pace, and artificial intelligence can differentiate between embryos from aged and young maternal mice by a non-invasive approach. Thus, machine learning can be used to identify morphokinetics phenotypes for further studies. This study has potential for future applications in selecting human embryos for embryo transfer, without or in complement with preimplantation genetic testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liubin Yang
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carolina Leynes
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley Pawelka
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Isabel Lorenzo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Andrew Chou
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Taniguchi R, Hatakeyama S, Ohgi S, Yanaihara A. Effect of Male Cigarette Smoking on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Outcomes and Embryo Morphokinetic Parameters. Cureus 2024; 16:e52788. [PMID: 38389644 PMCID: PMC10882248 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This retrospective cohort study examines the association between male smoking status and embryo development in vitro. The study included non-smoking women aged under 40 years who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) at Yanaihara Women's Clinic from May 2019 to May 2022, and they were divided into two groups according to the husband's smoking status. The effect of male smoking status on IVF outcomes was compared retrospectively based on embryonic development using a time-lapse incubator. A total of 184 patients were included; 272 oocytes of 45 female non-smokers were cultured with the sperm of male smokers, and 816 oocytes of 139 female non-smokers were cultured with the sperm of male non-smokers. No significant differences were observed between male smokers and non-smokers groups with regard to fertilization and the top-quality embryo on day 3 and day 5 (p > 0.05). The male smoker group's embryos reached the early cleavage-stage parameters (time of pronuclei appearance to the five-cell stage) significantly earlier than the male non-smoker group's embryos (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in other parameters of top-quality blastocysts (p > 0.05). It was concluded that male smoking has some differences on the timing of early embryonic events on time-lapse examination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Taniguchi
- Reproductive Center, Yanaihara Women's Clinic, Kamakura, JPN
| | | | - Shirei Ohgi
- Reproductive Center, Yanaihara Women's Clinic, Kamakura, JPN
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Buratini J, Moutier C, Guglielmo MC, Turchi D, Webb R, De Ponti E, Renzini MM, Canto MD. The impact of oocyte central granularity on ICSI practice: developmental competence of dysmorphic and morphologically normal companion oocytes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2375-2384. [PMID: 37501005 PMCID: PMC10504199 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02895-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the effects of oocyte central granularity and its underlying endocrine environment on developmental competence of dysmorphic and morphologically normal oocytes. METHODS Retrospective cohort study including 1,082 patients undergoing autologous ICSI cycles. Of these, 211 patients provided 602 oocytes with central granularity (CG) and 427 morphologically normal cycle companion oocytes (NCG). The remaining 871 patients provided only morphologically normal oocytes in cycles not yielding dysmorphic oocytes (N). Patient profile associated with CG was characterized, and fertilization rates, early morphokinetics and live birth rates were compared between N, CG and NCG groups. Patient characteristics associated with implantation and delivery performance of CG-derived embryos were assessed. RESULTS CG was associated with higher maternal age, basal FSH concentrations and total FSH dose, but with lower circulating AMH (p ≤ 0.035). Fertilization rates were reduced and early morphokinetic parameters were delayed in CG (p < 0.025) and NCG (p < 0.05) groups as compared to the N group. Embryos derived from CG oocytes achieved a markedly lower live birth rate (14.9%) as compared to those derived from NCG (36.8%; p = 0.03) and N oocytes (29.8%; p = 0.002). The negative relationship between CG and live birth was confirmed by a multivariate analysis controlling for potential confounders (OR:2.59, IC:1.27-5.31; P = 0.009). Implantation and delivery rates following transfers of CG-derived embryos were inversely associated with maternal age. CONCLUSION CG oocytes, but not their morphologically normal cycle companions, have severely compromised developmental competence. Maternal age should be a key parameter in deciding whether or not to utilize CG oocytes in ICSI cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Buratini
- Biogenesi, Reproductive Medicine Centre, Monza, Italy
- Clinica EUGIN, Milan, Italy
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP Brazil
| | | | | | - Diana Turchi
- Biogenesi, Reproductive Medicine Centre, Monza, Italy
| | - Robert Webb
- University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, UK
| | - Elena De Ponti
- Medical Physics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori Monza, Monza, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xia Q, Yu L, Song J, Sun Z. The role of acupuncture in women with advanced reproductive age undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: A randomized controlled trial and follicular fluid metabolomics study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34768. [PMID: 37682195 PMCID: PMC10489312 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in elderly infertile patients with kidney qi deficiency, and to explore its possible mechanism from the perspective of pseudo-targeted metabolomics of follicular fluid. METHODS Sixty cases of elderly women undergoing IVF were sampled and randomly divided into 2 equal groups: the treatment and the elderly control (HA) group. In the treatment group, routine ovulation induction combined with acupuncture treatment was used. Routine ovulation induction combined with sham acupuncture was used in the HA group. Reproductive outcomes of the 2 groups were compared. The follicular fluid of patients obtained on the day of oocyte retrieval was analyzed by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis system. RESULTS Compared with the HA group, the score of kidney qi deficiency syndrome in the treatment group was significantly decreased, and the 2 PN fertilization rate, high-quality embryo rate and cumulative pregnancy rate were significantly increased (P < .05). Through the identification of target metabolites, 3 metabolic pathways were found to be closely related to the developmental potential of oocytes, namely: Retinol metabolism pathway; Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism pathway; Glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. CONCLUSION From our findings, acupuncture can improve the quality of oocytes thus bettering the outcome of IVF-assisted pregnancy in elderly patients with kidney qi deficiency. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR1800018329.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingchang Xia
- College of Acupuncture and Massage, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lingyu Yu
- Institute of Chinese Medical Literature and Culture, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jingyan Song
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhengao Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Faster Fertilization and Cleavage Kinetics Reflect Competence to Achieve a Live Birth: Data from Single-Embryo Transfer Cycles. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:8501362. [PMID: 35872853 PMCID: PMC9307337 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8501362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between early developmental kinetics and the competence to result in a live birth as well as the impact of maternal age and the number of retrieved oocytes. This retrospective cohort study included 3,021 single-embryo transfer cycles and assessed live birth outcomes paired with morphokinetic data; 1,412 transfers resulted in live births (LB), and 1,609 did not (NLB). Early morphokinetic parameters between LB and NLB embryos were compared from patients stratified into four age groups (20-25, 26-30, 31-36, and ≥37 years) and between embryos in the same competence groups within the age groups. Early morphokinetic parameters were also compared between LB and NLB embryos from patients stratified into four groups based on the number of oocytes harvested (≤7, 8-14, 15-21, and ≥22). The association between morphokinetic parameters and LB was tested using univariate and multivariate analyses. This study indicated that embryos resulting in LB generally exhibit faster developmental dynamic parameters than embryos that do not. However, this difference decreased in the younger (20-25 years) and older (≥37 years) age groups. In addition, when the number of harvested oocytes was low (≤7) or high (≥22), this difference was less obvious. The morphokinetic parameters of embryonic cleavage are an effective reference value for embryo selection strategies aimed at increasing live birth rates, especially for patients aged 26–36 years, with 8–21 harvested oocytes.
Collapse
|
6
|
OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1148-1160. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
7
|
Mignini Renzini M, Dal Canto M, Guglielmo MC, Garcia D, De Ponti E, La Marca A, Vassena R, Buratini J. Sperm donation: an alternative to improve post-ICSI live birth rates in advanced maternal age patients. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2148-2156. [PMID: 34143887 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can sperm donation increase live birth rates following ICSI in advanced maternal age (AMA) patients? SUMMARY ANSWER Sperm donation increases the live birth rate in AMA ICSI cycles. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In ICSI practice, sperm donation has been predominantly applied to overcome male infertility. The involvement of paternal age and lower sperm quality in the severe reduction in fertility observed in AMA patients remains to be clarified. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Retrospective multicenter cohort study including data generated between 2015 and 2019 from 755 ICSI cycles achieving a fresh embryo transfer, of which 337 were first homologous cycles (normozoospermic partner sperm and homologous oocytes) and 418 were first sperm donation cycles (donor sperm and homologous oocytes). The association of sperm origin (partner vs donor) with live birth was assessed by multivariate analysis in non-AMA (<37 years, n = 278) and AMA (≥37 years, n = 477) patients, separately, including in the model all variables previously found to be associated with live birth in a univariate analysis (number of MII oocytes recovered, number of embryos transferred, and maternal age). ICSI outcomes were compared between sperm donation and homologous cycles in overall, non-AMA and AMA patients. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study was conducted in three fertility clinics and included 755 Caucasian patients aged 24-42 years undergoing their first homologous or sperm donation ICSI cycle achieving a fresh embryo transfer. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The multivariate analysis revealed that sperm donation was positively associated with the likelihood of a live birth independently of all other variables tested in AMA (P = 0.02), but not in non-AMA patients. Live birth, delivery, and miscarriage rates differed substantially between sperm donation and homologous AMA cycles; live birth and delivery rates were 70-75% higher (25.4% vs 14.5% and 22.5% vs 13.5%, respectively; P < 0.01), while miscarriage occurrence was less than half (18.0% vs 39.5%; P < 0.01) in sperm donation compared to homologous AMA cycles. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is limited by its retrospective nature, differences in patients profiles between sperm donation and homologous-control groups and varying proportion of donor cycles between fertility centers, although these variations have been controlled for in the statistical analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings suggest that sperm donation increases live birth rates while reducing miscarriage occurrence in AMA patients, and thus may be a valid strategy to improve ICSI outcomes in this growing and challenging patient group. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) N/A. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Mignini Renzini
- Clinica EUGIN, Modena, Italy.,Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Monza, Italy
| | - M Dal Canto
- Clinica EUGIN, Modena, Italy.,Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Monza, Italy
| | - M C Guglielmo
- Clinica EUGIN, Modena, Italy.,Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Monza, Italy
| | | | - E De Ponti
- ASST Monza, Department of Medical Physics, Monza, Italy
| | - A La Marca
- Clinica EUGIN, Modena, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - J Buratini
- Clinica EUGIN, Modena, Italy.,Biogenesi Reproductive Medicine Centre, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Monza, Italy.,Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kato K, Ueno S, Berntsen J, Ito M, Shimazaki K, Uchiyama K, Okimura T. Comparing prediction of ongoing pregnancy and live birth outcomes in patients with advanced and younger maternal age patients using KIDScore™ day 5: a large-cohort retrospective study with single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:98. [PMID: 34215265 PMCID: PMC8252298 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The KIDScore™ Day 5 (KS-D5) model, version 3, is a general morphokinetic prediction model (Vitrolife, Sweden) for fetal heartbeat prediction after embryo transfer that was developed based on a large data set that included implantation results from a range of clinics with different patient populations, culture conditions and clinical practices. However, there was no study to comparing their pregnancy and live birth prediction ability among different maternal age. The aim of this study is to analyze the performance of KS-D5 in predicting pregnancy and live birth in various maternal age groups after single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT). METHODS A total of 2486 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) cycles were analyzed retrospectively. Confirmed fetal heartbeat positive (FHB+) and live birth (LB+) rates were stratified by Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) maternal age criteria (< 35, 35-37, 38-40, 41-42 and ≥ 43 years of age). Within each age group, the performance of the prediction model was calculated using the AUC, and the results were compared across the age groups. RESULTS In all age groups, the FHB+ rates decreased as the KIDScore decreased (P < 0.05). Conversely, the AUCs increased as the maternal age increased. The AUC of the < 35 age group (0.589) was significantly lower than the AUCs of the 41-42 age group (0.673) and the ≥43 age group (0.737), respectively (P < 0.05). In all age groups, the LB+ rates decreased as the KIDScore decreased (P < 0.05). Conversely, the AUCs increased as the maternal age increased. The AUC of the ≥43 age group (0.768) was significantly higher than the AUCs of other age groups (P < 0.05; < 35 age group = 0.596, 35-37 age group = 0.640, 38-40 age group = 0.646, 41-42 age group = 0.679). CONCLUSIONS In the present study, we determined that the KIDScore model worked well for prediction of pregnancy and live birth outcomes in advanced age patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Kato
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Ueno
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | | | - Motoki Ito
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kiyoe Shimazaki
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kazuo Uchiyama
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okimura
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Early embryo morphokinetics is a better predictor of post-ICSI live birth than embryo morphology: speed is more important than beauty at the cleavage stage. ZYGOTE 2021; 29:495-502. [PMID: 33910671 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199421000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Given the importance of embryo developmental competence assessment in reproductive medicine and biology, the aim of this study was to compare the performance of fertilization and cleavage morphokinetics with embryo morphology to predict post-ICSI live birth. Data from embryos cultured in a time-lapse microscopy (TLM) incubator and with known live birth outcomes (LB: embryos achieving live birth, n = 168; NLB: embryos not achieving live birth, n = 1633) were used to generate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on morphokinetic or morphological scores, and the respective areas under the curve (AUC) were compared. The association between live birth and 12 combinations of four morphokinetic quality degrees (A-D) with three morphological quality degrees (A-C) was assessed using multivariate analysis. Morphokinetic parameters from tPNa to t8 were reached earlier in LB compared with NLB embryos. The ROC curve analysis indicated that morphokinetic information is more accurate than conventional morphology to predict live birth [AUC = 0.64 (95% CI 0.58-0.70) versus AUC = 0.58 (95% CI 0.51-0.65)]. The multivariate analysis was in line with AUCs, revealing that embryos with poor morphokinetics, independently of their morphology, provide lower live birth rates (P < 0.001). A considerable percentage of embryos with top morphology presented poor morphokinetics (20.10%), accompanied by a severely reduced live birth rate in comparison with embryos with top morphology and morphokinetics (P < 0.001). In conclusion, TLM-derived early morphokinetic parameters were more predictive of live-birth achievement following ICSI than conventional morphology.
Collapse
|
10
|
Pool TB. Some things never change-or do they? Fertil Steril 2021; 115:592. [PMID: 33558021 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
11
|
Shebl O, Haslinger C, Kresic S, Enengl S, Reiter E, Oppelt P, Ebner T. The hare and the tortoise: extreme mitotic rates and how these affect live birth. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 42:332-339. [PMID: 33250413 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is live birth of patients with excessive slow (no blastocyst on day 5) and fast mitotic rate (full blastocyst development on day 4) comparable to a matched control standard (blastocyst formation on day 5)? DESIGN In this retrospective matched (age and anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH]) case-control study rates of fertilization, blastulation, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth were compared in couples with male factor indication, prolonged embryo culture and fresh single morula and blastocyst transfer. RESULTS The rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth in the slow-developing group were significantly (P < 0.001) lower (17.6%, 13.7%, and 11.8%, respectively) compared with the fast (58.5%, 52.5%, 47.5%) and normal growing counterparts (51.5%, 42.6%, 39.6%). No differences in neonatal outcome could be observed between the three groups. Sex ratio in the fast-growing group was not different from the other cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Extremely slow development, as assessed by the absence of blastulation on day 5, is a negative predictor of pregnancy and live birth. In contrast, the fear that extremely fast-growing embryos may represent an aneuploid cohort of embryos is unsubstantiated. Day-4 full blastocysts can preferentially be considered for transfer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Shebl
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Christine Haslinger
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Sanja Kresic
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Sabine Enengl
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Reiter
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Peter Oppelt
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria
| | - Thomas Ebner
- Kepler University Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Gynecological Endocrinology, Altenberger Str. 69, Linz Upper Austria, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|