Is the presence of a non-cleaved embryo on day 3 associated with poorer quality of the remaining embryos in the cohort?

Abstract

Purpose Morphological evaluation is currently considered the single most important predictive measure for assessing embryo quality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cycles with at least one non-cleaved embryo (i.e., a 1-cell embryo on day 3) have different outcomes compared with cycles in which all embryos had cleaved by day 3. Methods All autologous IVF/ICSI cycles with a fresh day 3 transfer and without using a gestational carrier performed at our center between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Those cycles with at least one non-cleaved embryo on day 3 were compared with all other autologous cycles that had l00 % cleaved embryos performed during the study period. Results Eight hundred and forty two cycles were included. Of them, 144 cycles comprised the non-cleaved group, and 698 cycles comprised the cleaved group. Cycles in the non-cleaved group had more oocytes retrieved (15.4±7.1 vs. 12.5±7.1, p<0.001), more zygotes obtained (10.0±5.3 vs. 7.9±5.2, p= <0.001), but the embryos exhibited lower cleavage rates and higher rates of fragmentation and asymmetry compared with controls (p<0.001). However, spontaneous abortion rates, ectopic pregnancies rates as well as delivery rates were similar between the two groups.Conclusions Our results show that the presence of a noncleaved embryo on day 3 is associated with a more exuberant response to controlled ovarian stimulation as reflected by more oocytes retrieved. Despite the significant decrease in quality of the whole cohort in the non-cleaved group, implantation, delivery rates and number of embryos frozen were not adversely affected by the presence of a non-cleaved embryo.

Extracellular microRNAs profile in human follicular fluid and IVF outcomes

“…The total number of mature oocytes in a conventional IVF cycle was determined by summing the number of oocytes exhibiting one or more pronucleus combined with those without a pronucleus but exhibiting a polar body. Oocytes and embryos were incubated at 37 °C humidified atmosphere of 5% CO 2 in air 55 . The fertilization check was performed approximately 16–18 hours after ICSI and standard insemination.…”

The Vienna consensus: report of an expert meeting on the development of ART laboratory performance indicators

“…It is an indicator of embryo viability and has the ability to detect culture media contaminants. The presence of non-cleaved embryos or arrested zygotes on Day 3 is associated with a decrease in quality of the remaining cohort, but without a negative impact on clinical outcome (Machtinger et al, 2015). Cleavage rate is considered important and widely monitored, and defined as the proportion of zygotes which cleave to become embryos on Day 2 at 44 ± 1 h post-insemination (Alpha Scientists In Reproductive Medicine and ESHRE Special Interest Group of Embryology, 2011).…”

“…with occurrence of cellular division), and of embryo viability, so a low cleavage rate could be a warning that the culture system has been impacted by an extrinsic factor. Furthermore, there is evidence that the presence of at least 1 non-cleaved embryo is predictive of reduced embryo quality for the remaining cohort (Machtinger et al, 2015). The reference values are: competency >95%; benchmark >99%.…”

Extracellular microRNAs in follicular fluid and their potential association with oocyte fertilization and embryo quality: an exploratory study

“…Since follicles of different maturation status might contain different miRNA profiles [24], only FF from single follicles that contained mature oocytes (i.e., those exhibiting one polar body) were analyzed. Oocytes and embryos were maintained at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO 2 [25]. The fertilization check was performed 16-18 h after ICSI, and zygotes with two pronuclei were cultured individually in 25 μL drops of Sydney IVF cleavage medium K-SICM-20 (Cook, Ireland) until embryo transfer.…”