Evaluation of the morphokinetic parameters and development of pre‐implantation embryos obtained by testicular, epididymal and ejaculate spermatozoa using time‐lapse imaging system

Andrologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. e13217
Author(s):  
Ali Buran ◽  
Pinar Tulay ◽  
Nurten Dayıoğlu ◽  
Mustafa Emre Bakircioglu ◽  
Mustafa Bahceci ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Sugishima ◽  
K Yumoto ◽  
T Shimura ◽  
Y Mio

Abstract Study question Is it possible to culture ZP-free embryos to eliminate perivitelline threads, which are known to be involved in generating cytoplasmic fragments at the first cleavage? Summary answer ZP-free culturing, an innovative system that decreases the amount of cytoplasmic fragments without disrupting the blastomeres, using incubators with time-lapse imaging. What is known already A study in 2017 observed perivitelline threads in more than 50% of cleavage-stage human embryos using time-lapse imaging, and the rate of cytoplasmic fragmentation (at the first cleavage) was significantly decreased in embryos without perivitelline threads (P < 0.001). While it has been proposed that perivitelline threads play an important role in crosslinking the cumulus cells and oocyte during maturation, the mechanism underlying such a role remains unclear. It is also unknown whether the threads still function in mature MII oocytes. Study design, size, duration A prospective study was conducted using 2,852 normal (2PN/2PB) embryos from c-IVF/ICSI and 113 abnormal (3PN) embryos obtained from c-IVF between 2017 and 2019. The zona pellucida (ZP) of 71 abnormal embryos was removed at the pronuclear stage (“ZP-free”), and the rest (n = 42) were cultured as “ZP-intact”. Normal and abnormal embryos were cultured for five days in bench-top incubators (MINC, COOK) and an incubator equipped with a time-lapse imaging system. Participants/materials, setting, methods Embryos used in this study were donated by 412 couples who underwent c-IVF cycles in our clinic between 2017 and 2019. For ZP removal, 3PN embryos were placed in 0.125M sucrose-containing HEPES media drops to reduce the ooplasm size. Then, ooplasms were completely separated from ZPs by a laser and pipetting. Embryo development and morphology of the three groups (normal, ZP-intact and ZP-free abnormal) were compared based on the degree of cytoplasmic fragmentation. Main results and the role of chance The first cleavage occurred in 97.8% (n = 2,790/2,852) of 2PN/2PB, 83.3% (n = 35/42) of ZP-intact 3PN and 97.2% (n = 69/71) of ZP-free 3PN. Normal (2PN/2PB), ZP-intact and ZP-free 3PN embryos were classified into three groups based on the modified Veeck’s criteria thus: <20% fragmented compared to the total volume of cytoplasm at the first cleavage (Grade 1 and 2, Good); 20–39% fragmented (Grade 3, Fair) and ≧40% fragmented (Grade 4, Poor). Of 69 cleaved ZP-free 3PN embryos, 68.1% (n = 47) showed less than 20% fragments which was significantly higher than 2PN/2PB (43.7%, n = 1,218/2,790) and ZP-intact 3PN (45.7%, n = 16/35; P < 0.05). Furthermore, 24.6% (n = 17/69) of ZP-free 3PN embryos showed 20–39% fragments which was significantly lower than 2PN/2PB (45.9%, n = 1,281/2,790; P < 0.05). In addition, 50.7% of ZP-free 3PN embryos (n = 36) developed to the morula stage after the third cleavage, and 29.6% (n = 21) formed blastocoel and became blastocysts. Thus, removing the ZP before the first cleavage did not adversely affect embryo development and decreased the cytoplasmic fragmentation. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to ethical and clinical limitations, we only examined abnormally fertilized embryos in this study. Moreover, since the relationship between the perivitelline threads and cytoplasmic fragments is unclear, we plan to conduct molecular biological analysis of the perivitelline threads in further studies. Wider implications of the findings: This study revealed that ZP is not always necessary after the pronuclear stage because ZP-free embryos studied herein developed normally and maintained cell adhesion well. This innovative culture method might provide the breakthrough needed for patients to improve embryo quality who obtain embryos with severe fragmentation caused by perivitelline threads. Trial registration number Not applicable


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1439-1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Barberet ◽  
C Bruno ◽  
E Valot ◽  
C Antunes-Nunes ◽  
L Jonval ◽  
...  

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCan time-lapse imaging systems make it possible to identify novel early non-invasive biomarkers to predict live birth?SUMMARY ANSWERFrom mostly high-grade embryos, out of 35 morphometric, morphologic and morphokinetic variables, only pronuclei (PN) position at time of PN juxtaposition and the absence of multinucleated blastomeres at the 2-cell stage (MNB2cell), were potentially associated with live birth.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYPrevious studies indicate that some kinetic markers may be predictive of blastocyst development and embryonic implantation. Certain teams have suggested including some of them in decisional algorithms for embryo transfers.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONUsing a time-lapse incubator (EmbryoScope, Unisense FertiliTech), we retrospectively explored the associations between the morphometric, morphologic and morphokinetic parameters of oocytes, zygotes and embryos, and their associations with live birth. This study assessed 232 embryos from single embryo transfers after ICSI cycles performed between January 2014 and December 2017.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSThe morphometric, morphologic and morphokinetic parameters (18, 4 and 13, respectively) of oocytes, zygotes and early embryos were studied retrospectively. The associations between these parameters were examined using a Spearman’s correlation, Mann–Whitney or chi-squared test as appropriate. We examined whether these parameters were associated with outcomes in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCECentral PN juxtaposition was associated with a 2-fold increase in the odds of live birth (OR = 2.20; 95% CI, [1.26–3.89]; P = 0.006), while the presence of MNB2cell was associated with half the odds of live birth (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, [0.27–0.95]; P = 0.035). These two parameters were independent of embryo kinetics. The 33 remaining parameters had no significant association with the capacity of transferred embryos to develop to term.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONEven though the population size was relatively small, our analyses were based on homogeneous cycles, i.e. young women whose transferred embryos were found to be high-grade according to conventional morphology evaluation. In addition, our conclusions were established from a specific, highly selected population, so other study populations, such as women in an older age bracket, may yield different results. Finally, because we assessed day 2/3 transfers, our findings cannot be generalized to embryos cultured up to the blastocyst stage.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSIt would be interesting to explore, prospectively, whether PN localisation is a relevant measure to predict embryo development when added into further algorithms and whether this parameter could be suitable for use in other IVF clinics. Further studies are needed, notably to explore the added value of timing evaluation in cohorts of embryos with low or intermediate morphology grade, as well as in other maternal populations (i.e. older women).STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)No external funding was used for this study. P. Sagot received funding from the following commercial companies: Merck Serono, Finox Biotech, Ferring, MSD France SAS, Teva Sante ́ SAS, Allergan France, Gedeon Richter France, Effik S.A., Karl Storz Endoscopie France, GE Medical Systems SCS, Laboratoires Genevrier, H.A.C. Pharma and Ipsen.All the authors confirm that none of this funding was used to support the research in this study. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter the authors’ adherence to all the journal policies on sharing data and materials.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichi Funahashi ◽  
Harukazu Nakamura

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 133-142
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Matsuda ◽  
Masanobu Ito ◽  
Yumiho Yamaguchi ◽  
Fujiyo Matsushita ◽  
Hiromi Kawasaki ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 154 (2) ◽  
pp. R37-R53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Milewski ◽  
Anna Ajduk

In vitrofertilization (IVF) is one of the most important procedures for treating infertility. As several embryos are usually produced in a single IVF cycle, it is crucial to select only the most viable ones for transfer to the patient. Morphokinetics, i.e. analysis of the dynamics of cleavage divisions and processes such as compaction and cavitation, has provided both biologists and clinicians with a new set of data regarding embryonic behaviour during preimplantation development and its association with embryo quality. In the current review, we focus on biological significance of morphokinetic parameters and show how they can be used to predict a reproductive outcome. We also explain the statistics behind the predictive algorithms and discuss the future perspectives of morphokinetics.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Karen Schnauffer ◽  
Niamh Lewis ◽  
Stephen Troup ◽  
Dai Grove-White ◽  
Caroline McG. Argo

2021 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. e243
Author(s):  
Daniela Paes de Almeida Ferreira Braga ◽  
Amanda Souza Setti ◽  
Patricia Guilherme ◽  
Livia S. Vingris ◽  
Rodrigo R. Provenza ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. e314-e315
Author(s):  
F. Li ◽  
M. Urich ◽  
J.W. Ayers ◽  
M.I. Abuzeid ◽  
I. Khan

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