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Influence of group embryo culture strategies on the blastocyst development and pregnancy outcome

  • ASSISTED REPRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To compare two different embryo culture methods and to determine whether grouping embryos based on quality following Day 3 improved outcomes.

Methods

Two group embryo culture methods were compared in this study. All zygotes were individually cultured from Day 1 to Day 3. On Day 3, embryos were then cultured in group of 2–5 embryos per droplet until Day 5 or 6. The two group culture methods are: A, embryos were randomly grouped regardless of embryo quality; B, good and poor quality embryos were separately grouped. Blastocyst development rate, blastocyst utilization rate, implantation rate and pregnancy rate were detected.

Results

The group culture of Day 3 embryos, in which good or poor quality embryos were separately grouped, significantly promoted blastocyst development (61.2 %, 289/472) and blastocyst utilization rate (55.9 %, 264/472) in comparison with those embryos that were randomly grouped for culture regardless of embryo quality (44 %, 177/402 and 41.5 %, 167/402). There was no significant difference in the implantation rate and pregnancy rate between two group culture methods.

Conclusions

Grouping of embryos after Day 3 based on embryo quality may benefit blastocyst formation. This may be due to secretion of beneficial factors by good embryos, or removal of detrimental factors from poor embryos. No impacts on pregnancy or implantation outcomes were observed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conceptia Clinic, 35 Providence, Moncton, NB, E1C 8X3, Canada

    Tao Tao, Alfred Robichaud, Julie Mercier & Rodney Ouellette

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  1. Tao Tao
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  2. Alfred Robichaud
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  3. Julie Mercier
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  4. Rodney Ouellette
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rodney Ouellette.

Additional information

Capsule Our study demonstrates that Day 3 embryos with good and poor quality may be separately grouped for culture to blastocyst stage. Some unknown factors derived from poor quality embryos (such as arrested embryos) may inhibit the surrounding embryo development. The strategy of the combination of individual culture to Day 3 and good and poor quality of embryos be separately grouped for culture to Day 5 or 6 is recommended for clinical use.

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Tao, T., Robichaud, A., Mercier, J. et al. Influence of group embryo culture strategies on the blastocyst development and pregnancy outcome. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 63–68 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9892-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-012-9892-x

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