Prognostic value of growth of 4-cell embryos on the day of transfer in fresh IVF-ET cycles

Abstract

Transfer of 4-cell embryos 3 days after oocyte retrieval can result in clinical pregnancies and live births, albeit at a low rate. Growth of an embryo more than the 4-cell stage on the afternoon of ET may serve as a positive prognostic factor for IVF-ET cycle outcome.

Improvement of pregnancy outcome by extending embryo culture in IVF-ET during clinical application

“…Cummins reported that slowly or rapidly growing embryos implanted less frequently than their normal embryo counterparts [16]. A similar conclusion was also revealed by Pereira: embryos with a slower rate of cleavage had a lower probability of successful implantation and pregnancy [14]. Kroener found that rapidly developing embryos were more likely to blastulate, regardless of their chromosomal status, but a rapidly developing embryo with ≥ 9 cells on day 3 may be more likely to be aneuploidy than one with 6-8 cells [17].…”

“…Cell number in day 3 embryos was found to be the best predictor of the implantation potential in a scoring system [5]. At this time, embryos with eight blastomeres are normal for the developmental pace [13], and the optimal embryos with implantation and live birth potential should reach 4-5-cell stage on day 2 and 6-8-cell stage on day 3 after oocyte retrieval and insemination [5,14,15]. Cummins reported that slowly or rapidly growing embryos implanted less frequently than their normal embryo counterparts [16].…”

Early spontaneous multiple fetal pregnancy reduction is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in in vitro fertilization cycles

“…Embryos were cultured using in-house culture media and assessed on day 2 (44-46 h after insemination or sperm injection) and day 3 (66-72 h insemination or sperm injection). 15,16 Day-3 embryos with grades 1, 1.5, or 2 17 were transferred with Wallace catheters (Smiths Medical, Dublin, OH, USA) at approximately 1 cm less than the uterine depth identified at prior trial transfer.…”

Is Anti-Müllerian Hormone Associated with IVF Outcomes in Young Patients with Diminished Ovarian Reserve?

“…hCG was used as the ovulation trigger. The hCG trigger was generally given when the two lead follicles attained a mean diameter >17 mm and was administered according to a sliding scale (10,000 IU for estradiol [E 2 ] <1500 pg/ml; 5000 IU for E 2 1501-2500 pg/ml; 4000 IU for E 2 2501-3000 pg/ml and 3300 IU for E 2 >3001 pg/ml) [17,18]. Oocyte retrieval was performed under conscious sedation and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) guidance with a 30 cm 16 G oocyte aspiration needle (Cook ® Medical, IN, USA) 35-36 h after the ovulatory trigger.…”