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Morphokinetics of vitrified and warmed blastocysts predicts implantation potential

  • Embryo Biology
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

It was studied whether morphokinetics of blastocoele re-expansion and hatching in vitrified-warmed blastocysts is predictive of implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth.

Methods

In 144 patients aiming for single warmed blastocyst transfer, blastocysts were cultured in a new time-lapse system (Miri® TL) immediately after warming. Video sequences with an image interval of 5 min were annotated and the corresponding morphokinetic variables were correlated with pregnancy outcome. In detail, tRE (start of re-expansion), tCRE (completion of re-expansion), tAH (hatching from the manipulated zona pellucida), and presence of collapses were recorded.

Results

In the pregnant group, tRE and tCRE were significantly lower (0.69 ± 0.45 h and 2.16 ± 0.94 h) as compared to the non-pregnant group (1.23 ± 1.08 h and 2.70 ± 1.20 h). Both variables and the duration of re-expansion (tCRE-tRE) allowed for distinction between “non-pregnant,” “loss of pregnancy,” and live birth/ongoing pregnancy. Presence and number of collapses showed no correlation with outcome.

Conclusions

Time-lapse imaging of vitrified-warmed blastocysts offers additional selection criteria allowing for prediction of implantation potential. As a consequence, cumulative pregnancy rate could be increased and time-to-pregnancy reduced.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank G. Schappacher-Tilp for statistical expertise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Endocrinology, Kepler University Clinic, Campus IV, Krankenhausstr. 26-30, A-4020, Linz, Austria

    T. Ebner, P. Oppelt, E. Radler, C. Allerstorfer, A. Habelsberger, R. B. Mayer & O. Shebl

Authors
  1. T. Ebner
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  2. P. Oppelt
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  3. E. Radler
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  4. C. Allerstorfer
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  5. A. Habelsberger
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  6. R. B. Mayer
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  7. O. Shebl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to T. Ebner.

Additional information

Capsule Time-lapse imaging of vitrified-warmed blastocysts, particularly the start of re-expansion, offers additional selection criteria allowing for prediction of implantation potential which may result in reduced time-to-pregnancy.

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Ebner, T., Oppelt, P., Radler, E. et al. Morphokinetics of vitrified and warmed blastocysts predicts implantation potential. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 239–244 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0855-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0855-5

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