Shady Grove Fertility’s research team is committed to enhancing the likelihood of parenthood for couples undergoing fertility treatments. A crucial aspect of this work involves understanding embryo growth and refining embryo selection processes for in vitro fertilization (IVF). At the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s 2016 Scientific Congress and Expo, held from October 15 to 19 in Salt Lake City, the team’s physicians and researchers presented a retrospective study examining the growth rates of 1,237 embryos and their chromosomal integrity, as analyzed through embryo biopsy and pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS).
Understanding Embryo Growth Rates
In the IVF process, embryologists retrieve eggs and fertilize them in a laboratory setting. Following fertilization, the embryo’s cells divide and progress to the blastocyst stage, typically occurring on the fifth or sixth day of development. Historical data has indicated that embryos with slower growth rates, particularly those reaching the blastocyst stage on the sixth day or later, are often linked to less favorable treatment outcomes.
The Role of Aneuploidy in Pregnancy Outcomes
Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes, which is particularly prevalent in embryos from women of advanced maternal age. This condition is a significant contributor to miscarriages and can also lead to unsuccessful IVF cycles characterized by embryos that fail to implant, resulting in negative pregnancy test results.
Key Findings: No Correlation Between Growth Rate and Aneuploidy
The study in question investigated whether embryos that developed more slowly to the blastocyst stage had a higher incidence of aneuploidy. The analysis involved 1,237 embryos from 309 fresh autologous cycles conducted with 267 women, with an average maternal age of 37 years. Each patient had an average of four embryos biopsied, with 537 biopsies performed on Day 5 and 700 on Day 6 blastocysts. Surprisingly, results indicated that there was no significant difference in aneuploidy rates between embryos biopsied on Day 5 and those on Day 6, suggesting that slower-growing embryos do not inherently possess a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
Implications for Patients
These findings may offer reassurance for patients with embryos that exhibit slower developmental rates. According to this study, there is no expectation that embryos with slower growth will have an increased rate of chromosomal defects.
About the 2016 ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo
The 2016 ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo serves as the leading scientific forum for reproductive medicine, addressing cutting-edge topics and advancements in the field. The event features a rich program of scientific presentations, postgraduate courses, and plenary lectures focused on the most important clinical and scientific challenges in reproductive medicine.
Summary: Research from Shady Grove Fertility indicates that slower-growing embryos do not have a higher incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, providing hope for patients with these embryos. This study presented at the 2016 ASRM Scientific Congress highlights the importance of understanding embryo growth rates in fertility treatments.