IVF embryo choices and pregnancy outcomes

L Wang, X Wang, Y Liu, X Ou, M Li, L Chen… - Prenatal …, 2021 - Wiley Online Library
L Wang, X Wang, Y Liu, X Ou, M Li, L Chen, X Shao, S Quan, J Duan, W He, H Shen, L Sun…
Prenatal Diagnosis, 2021Wiley Online Library
Objective Investigate the chromosome status and transfer outcomes of embryos selected
using routine “best morphology” IVF practices. Method A prospective multi‐center, non‐
selection cohort study involving patients undertaking IVF treatment. Study entry conditions
were blastocyst biopsy,> 1 embryo with chromosome analysis and frozen transfer of the best
morphology embryo. Primary analyses were βhCG positive, implantation, ongoing
pregnancy and birth rates and pregnancy‐stage progression failures. Results After transfer …
Objective
Investigate the chromosome status and transfer outcomes of embryos selected using routine “best morphology” IVF practices.
Method
A prospective multi‐center, non‐selection cohort study involving patients undertaking IVF treatment. Study entry conditions were blastocyst biopsy, >1 embryo with chromosome analysis and frozen transfer of the best morphology embryo. Primary analyses were βhCG positive, implantation, ongoing pregnancy and birth rates and pregnancy‐stage progression failures.
Results
After transfer, embryo chromosome status was assigned and outcomes divided into two primary groups ‐ euploids (n = 135) and aneuploids (n = 53). Compared to euploid embryo transfers, aneuploid embryos had significantly lower primary outcomes (+βhCG: 67% vs. 30%, p < 0.0001; IR: 56% vs. 19%, p < 0.0001; ongoing week 12: 51% vs. 9%, p < 0.0001; and livebirths: 50% vs. 8%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Transfers were further subdivided into smaller groups according to their main chromosomal feature. Stage analysis showed higher failure rates for aneuploids to initiate a pregnancy (p < 0.0001), higher subclinical miscarriage rate (p = 0.0402) and higher clinical miscarriage rate (p = 0.0038).
Conclusion
Routine morphology‐based embryo selection resulted in a high euploid selection rate but a significant number of aneuploid embryos were still inadvertently selected for transfer (28%) with the subsequent high failure rates for pregnancy initiation and progression having implications for appropriate patient management.
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