BACKGROUND: This retrospective study analysed the outcomes of 339 embryo transfers on either day 3 (n = 97) or day 4 (n = 242), and proposed a grading system for morula/compact embryos. METHODS: The morula/compact embryo grading was based on: (i) the proportion of blastomeres undergoing the compaction process; (ii) the morphology of the compacted multicellular mass; (iii) the embryo quality on day 2 and 3; and (iv) the amount of fragmentation. Embryo transfers were classified into groups as follows: group I: transferred with zero 'good' embryos; group II: one 'good' embryo; group III: two or more 'good' embryos. RESULTS: Patients on day 4 were transferred with significantly fewer embryos in groups II and III (2.58 +/- 0.9 and 2.35 +/- 0.6 respectively) when compared with the correspondent day 3 transfers (3.81 +/- 1.4 and 4.07 +/- 0.9 respectively) (P < 0.05), but had the same or higher implantation and pregnancy rates. Analysing the patients who had transfers with all 'good' embryos, day 4 transfer achieved a significantly higher implantation rate compared with day 3 transfer (46.4 versus 21.4%, P < 0.01), but the number of embryos transferred on day 4 was significantly lower than day 3 (2.1 +/- 0.5 versus 3.5 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The morula/compact embryos had great value for embryo selection, which significantly reduced the number of embryos needed for transfer.
BACKGROUND: This retrospective study analysed the outcomes of 339 embryo transfers on either day 3 (n = 97) or day 4 (n = 242), and proposed a grading system for morula/compact embryos. METHODS: The morula/compact embryo grading was based on: (i) the proportion of blastomeres undergoing the compaction process; (ii) the morphology of the compacted multicellular mass; (iii) the embryo quality on day 2 and 3; and (iv) the amount of fragmentation. Embryo transfers were classified into groups as follows: group I: transferred with zero 'good' embryos; group II: one 'good' embryo; group III: two or more 'good' embryos. RESULTS:Patients on day 4 were transferred with significantly fewer embryos in groups II and III (2.58 +/- 0.9 and 2.35 +/- 0.6 respectively) when compared with the correspondent day 3 transfers (3.81 +/- 1.4 and 4.07 +/- 0.9 respectively) (P < 0.05), but had the same or higher implantation and pregnancy rates. Analysing the patients who had transfers with all 'good' embryos, day 4 transfer achieved a significantly higher implantation rate compared with day 3 transfer (46.4 versus 21.4%, P < 0.01), but the number of embryos transferred on day 4 was significantly lower than day 3 (2.1 +/- 0.5 versus 3.5 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The morula/compact embryos had great value for embryo selection, which significantly reduced the number of embryos needed for transfer.
Authors: M Simopoulou; K Sfakianoudis; P Tsioulou; A Rapani; E Maziotis; P Giannelou; S Grigoriadis; A Pantou; K Nikolettos; N Vlahos; K Pantos; M Koutsilieris Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2019-05-20 Impact factor: 3.412
Authors: Sang Min Kang; Sang Won Lee; Hak Jun Jeong; San Hyun Yoon; Min Whan Koh; Jin Ho Lim; Seong Goo Lee Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2012-03-01 Impact factor: 3.412
Authors: Judith A Newmark; William C Warger; ChihChing Chang; Gustavo E Herrera; Dana H Brooks; Charles A DiMarzio; Carol M Warner Journal: Microsc Microanal Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 4.127
Authors: Goedele Paternot; Mathias Spiessens; Dimitri Verstreken; Johan Van Bauwel; Sophie Debrock; Thomas D'Hooghe; Carl Spiessens Journal: Reprod Biol Endocrinol Date: 2012-09-10 Impact factor: 5.211