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Wirleitner B, Hrubá M, Schuff M, Hradecký L, Stecher A, Damko A, Stadler J, Spitzer D, Obkircher M, Murtinger M. Embryo drop-out rates in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A): a retrospective data analysis from the DoLoRes study. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:193-203. [PMID: 37878220 PMCID: PMC10789689 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02976-9] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the decline in transferable embryos in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles due to (a) non-biopsable blastocyst quality, (b) failure of genetic analysis, (c) diagnosis of uniform numerical or structural chromosomal aberrations, and/or (d) chromosomal aberrations in mosaic constitution. METHODS This retrospective multicenter study comprised outcomes of 1562 blastocysts originating from 363 controlled ovarian stimulation cycles, respectively, 226 IVF couples in the period between January 2016 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria were PGT-A cycles with trophectoderm biopsy (TB) and next generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS Out of 1562 blastocysts, 25.8% were lost due to non-biopsable and/or non-freezable embryo quality. In 10.3% of all biopsied blastocysts, genetic analysis failed. After exclusion of embryos with uniform or chromosomal aberrations in mosaic, only 18.1% of those originally yielded remained as diagnosed euploid embryos suitable for transfer. This translates into 50.4% of patients and 57.6% of stimulated cycles with no euploid embryo left for transfer. The risk that no transfer can take place rose significantly with a lower number of oocytes and with increasing maternal age. The chance for at least one euploid blastocyst/cycle in advanced maternal age (AMA)-patients was 33.3% compared to 52.1% in recurrent miscarriage (RM), 59.8% in recurrent implantation failure (RIF), and 60.0% in severe male factor (SMF). CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that PGT-A is accompanied by high embryo drop-out rates. IVF-practitioners should be aware that their patients run a high risk of ending up without any embryo suitable for transfer after (several) stimulation cycles, especially in AMA patients. Patients should be informed in detail about the frequency of inconclusive or mosaic results, with the associated risk of not having an euploid embryo available for transfer after PGT-A, as well as the high cost involved in this type of testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Hrubá
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Smetany 2, 30100, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Next Lab Genetika, Parková 11a, 32600, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Maximilian Schuff
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Roemerstrasse 2, 6900, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Libor Hradecký
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Smetany 2, 30100, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Astrid Stecher
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Roemerstrasse 2, 6900, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Adriane Damko
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Roemerstrasse 2, 6900, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Jürgen Stadler
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse 35, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Dietmar Spitzer
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse 35, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Maximilian Murtinger
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech, Roemerstrasse 2, 6900, Bregenz, Austria
- Next Fertility St. Gallen, Kürsteinerstrasse 2, 9015, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Sanders KD, Griffin DK, Martell HJ, Blazek J, Large M, Gordon T. What proportion of embryos should be considered for transfer following a mosaic diagnosis? A study of 115 clinics from a central diagnostic laboratory. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:653-664. [PMID: 36708429 PMCID: PMC10033805 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02678-8] [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: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to identify what proportion of mosaic embryo diagnoses should be considered for transfer, and thereby assess the impact on patient cases. METHODS We categorised mosaic embryos into 3 groups; high, medium and low priority for transfer based on the percentage of biopsy sample being aneuploid and the chromosomes involved. The categories were applied to those patients that had no euploid embryo diagnoses but 1 or more mosaic embryos identified as mosaic available after PGT-A. RESULTS In total, 6614 PGT-A cases from 115 clinics and a single diagnostic laboratory were reviewed. Further, 1384 [20.9%] cases only had aneuploid embryos, 4538 [68.6%] cases had one or more euploid embryos and 692 [10.5%] cases had no euploid and one or more mosaic embryo. The mosaic embryos in the no euploid, one or more mosaic group, when reviewed using priorities, resulted in: 111 [1.7%] of cases having at least one high priority mosaic available. 184 [2.8%] of cases having no high priority but at least one medium priority mosaic available. 397 [6.0%] of cases only having low priority mosaic embryos available. CONCLUSION Based on this data, embryos identified as mosaic will only be considered for transfer in the first instance for around 4.5% (when taking high and medium priority and excluding low priority cases) of all PGT-A cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darren K Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Henry J Martell
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK
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Murtinger M, Wirleitner B, Spitzer D, Bralo H, Miglar S, Schuff M. Diagnosing chronic endometritis: when simplification fails to clarify. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2022:hoac023. [PMID: 35722504 PMCID: PMC9202642 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive immunology has grown in importance in recent years and has even developed into a discipline of its own within the field of reproductive medicine. Many aspects of reproductive failure such as repeated implantation failure or recurrent miscarriages are, meanwhile, seen as a consequence of aberrant expression of immunological factors. This is reflected by the increasing number of tests for assessing and quantifying different immune cell types as well as by a wide range of immune therapies offered to a clientele consisting of desperate patients requesting additional ‘IVF tools’: first, what is still usually disregarded is the enormous plasticity and fluctuation of most immune cells in the genital tract; second, their still poorly characterized functions in the endometrial cycle: further, their partially unknown role in embryo implantation and in establishing a pregnancy; and third, the fact that one of the fundamental hypotheses of reproductive immunology—of note—the Medawar concept or ‘Medawar's Paradox’ of semi-allogeneic graft embryo, is partially based on an erroneous assumption, i.e. the immunologic rejection and tolerance of an embryo. In the present opinion article, we comment on the diagnostic procedures and therapy approaches for chronic endometritis within the scope of reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Helena Bralo
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech—Bregenz , Bregenz, Austria
| | - Susanna Miglar
- Next Fertility IVF Prof. Zech—Salzburg , Salzburg, Austria
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Viotti M, Victor AR, Barnes FL, Zouves CG, Besser AG, Grifo JA, Cheng EH, Lee MS, Horcajadas JA, Corti L, Fiorentino F, Spinella F, Minasi MG, Greco E, Munné S. Using outcome data from one thousand mosaic embryo transfers to formulate an embryo ranking system for clinical use. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:1212-1224. [PMID: 33685629 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study how the attributes of mosaicism identified during preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy relate to clinical outcomes, in order to formulate a ranking system of mosaic embryos for intrauterine transfer. DESIGN Compiled analysis. SETTING Multi-center. PATIENT(S) A total of 5,561 euploid blastocysts and 1,000 mosaic blastocysts used in clinical transfers in patients undergoing fertility treatment. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Implantation (gestational sac), ongoing pregnancy, birth, and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation). RESULT(S) The euploid group had significantly more favorable rates of implantation and ongoing pregnancy/birth (OP/B) compared with the combined mosaic group or the mosaic group affecting only whole chromosomes (implantation: 57.2% vs. 46.5% vs. 41.8%; OP/B: 52.3% vs. 37.0% vs. 31.3%), as well as lower likelihood of spontaneous abortion (8.6% vs. 20.4% vs. 25%). Whole-chromosome mosaic embryos with level (percent aneuploid cells) <50% had significantly more favorable outcomes than the ≥50% group (implantation: 44.5% vs. 30.4%; OP/B: 36.1% vs. 19.3%). Mosaic type (nature of the aneuploidy implicated in mosaicism) affected outcomes, with a significant correlation between number of affected chromosomes and unfavorable outcomes. This ranged from mosaicism involving segmental abnormalities to complex aneuploidies affecting three or more chromosomes (implantation: 51.6% vs. 30.4%; OP/B: 43.1% vs. 20.8%). Combining mosaic level, type, and embryo morphology revealed the order of subcategories regarding likelihood of positive outcome. CONCLUSION(S) This compiled analysis revealed traits of mosaicism identified with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy that affected outcomes in a statistically significant manner, enabling the formulation of an evidence-based prioritization scheme for mosaic embryos in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Viotti
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California.
| | - Andrea R Victor
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California
| | - Frank L Barnes
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Christo G Zouves
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Andria G Besser
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | - James A Grifo
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Maw-Sheng Lee
- Lee Women's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Chung Shan Medical University, Institute of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Laura Corti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Giulia Minasi
- European Hospital, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy; Villa Mafalda, Center For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Greco
- European Hospital, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy; Villa Mafalda, Center For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
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Homer HA. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A): The biology, the technology and the clinical outcomes. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2019; 59:317-324. [PMID: 30811595 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) seeks to identify preimplantation embryos with a normal chromosome complement (euploid) during in vitro fertilisation (IVF). By sifting out embryos with abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploid), PGT-A should theoretically improve pregnancy success. However, earlier versions of PGT-A were ineffective, and in some cases, detrimental, due to biopsy-induced trauma and because the technology at the time could analyse only a fraction of all chromosomes. More recently, the emergence of technologies enabling all chromosomes to be analysed and a switch to less traumatic blastocyst-stage biopsy have seen widespread uptake of PGT-A. Assessing the full impact of blastocyst biopsy PGT-A requires consideration of multiple factors, including embryonic mosaicism, sensitivity of the technological platform used, embryo loss during long-term in vitro culture, embryo cryopreservation and inter-clinic variability in expertise. Significantly, there hasnt yet been an appropriately designed randomised controlled trial (RCT) of blastocyst biopsy PGT-A analysed by intention-to-treat that accounts for all these parameters on a per-cycle basis. The three RCTs reporting benefits studied outcomes on a per-embryo transfer basis were small and underpowered and demonstrated benefits for a very select sub-group of good prognosis patients. The liberal use of this very expensive IVF add-on for other patient populations has not yet been shown to be effective, or indeed, without harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayden Anthony Homer
- Christopher Chen Oocyte Biology Research Laboratory, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Queensland Fertility Group, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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