Hey friends! Let’s dive into some fascinating findings from the 2015 American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) meeting in Baltimore. A sizable study analyzed over 37,000 embryos using a method called 24-chromosome Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-Based Preimplantation Genetic Screening, also known as Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening (CCS). This research compiled data from 181 IVF clinics, with significant contributions from two main centers—notably, one in San Francisco and another in Colorado.
This study represents the largest dataset of embryo genetic testing ever recorded, focusing on the effectiveness of CCS in predicting pregnancy outcomes. They looked at embryo implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates, breaking it down by maternal age. A whopping 37,711 embryo biopsies were included, which is quite the haul!
Interestingly, they found that Day 3 embryos tend to show more chromosomal abnormalities compared to those evaluated on Day 5 and 6. While the Day 5/6 embryos had a higher proportion of normal ones, the total count was lower—hinting that chromosomal issues are a key reason for the decline in normal embryos by this stage. Unsurprisingly, women under 35 had a greater number of normal embryos, but this number fell sharply as age increased.
The researchers also identified a specific area on Chromosome 4 linked to a higher occurrence of chromosomally abnormal embryos. Women with certain genotypes in this region had significantly fewer viable embryos when tested on Day 5, indicating a troubling trend in embryo viability.
If you’re curious for more details, you can check out the full poster here.
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To wrap it up, this study sheds light on the importance of genetic screening in IVF and how age plays a critical role in embryo health.