Abstract
The role of cleavage rates, number of embryos transferred, and some other variables in pregnancy outcome in 222 human embryo transfers was studied. Pregnancy rates were significantly higher in a group of 117 patients receiving at least one embryo that had reached the four-cell stage at 40 hr postinsemination (26% total pregnancies/transfer and 18% ongoing pregnancies/transfer) than in the 105 patients receiving embryos developing at a slower rate (7% total pregnancies/transfer and 2% ongoing pregnancies/transfer). Of the 23 ongoing or term pregnancies produced, 21 came from transfers of at least one embryo that had reached four-cell stage by 40 hr postinsemination. Pregnancy rates were unaffected in either the fast-cleaving or the slower-cleaving embryos by culturing in vitro for an additional 24 hr. The presence of anucleate cell fragments also had no effect on pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates increased progressively with the transfer of more embryos per transfer. These results suggest that procedures to improve ovulation induction and in vitro embryo culture technique may better the success of in vitro fertilization by providing a high number of rapidly cleaving embryos for transfer.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Taymor ML, Seibel MM, Oskowitz SP, Smith DM, Lee G: In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: An individualized approach to ovulation induction. J Vitro Fert Embryo Transfer 1984;2:162–168
Alper MM, Lee GS, Seibel MM, Smith D, Oskowitz SP, Ransil BJ, Taymor ML: The relationship of semen parameters to fertilization in patients participating in a program of in vitro fertilization. J Vitro Fert Embryo Transfer 1985;2:217–223
Lauritsen JG: Results of in vitro fertilization and culture of human ova.In Follicular Maturation and Ovulation, Proceedings of the 14th Reinier De Graaf Symposium, Nijmegen, Aug 20–22, 1981, R Rolland, EV Van Hall, SG Hillier, KP McNatty, J Schoemaker (eds). Princeton, NJ, Excerpta Medica, pp 346–351
Sundstrom P, Nilsson O, Liedholm: Cleavage rate and morphology of early human embryos obtained after artificial fertilization and culture. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1981;60:109–120
Edwards RG: Culture and storage of preimplantation embryos.In Conception in the Human Female. RG Edwards (ed). New York, Academic Press, 1980, pp 685–689
Byrd W, Wolf DP: Oogenesis, fertilization and early development.In Human in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, DP Wolf, MM Quigley (eds). New York: Plenum Press, 1984, pp 213–273
Edwards RG: Test-tube babies, 1981. Nature 1981;293:253–256
Humeau: Criteres d'evaluation de la qualite des embryons obtenus par FIV et de leur aptitude a l'implantation. Ann Biol Clin 1985;43:23–26
Trounson AO, Mohr LR, Wood C, Leeton JF: Effect of delayed insemination on in-vitro fertilization, culture and transfer of human embryos. J Reprod Fert 1982;64:285–294
Mohr LR, Trounson AO, Leeton JF, Wood C: Evaluation of normal and abnormal human embryo development during procedures in vitro.In Fertilization of the Human Egg in Vitro, HM Beier, HR Lindner (eds). New York, Springer-Verlag, 1983, pp 211–221
Wortham JEW Jr, Veeck LL, Witmyer J, Jones HW: Vital initiation of pregnancy (VIP) using human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin ovulation induction: Phase 1–1981. Fertil Steril 1983;39:785–793
Testart J, Belaisch-Allart J, Hazout A, Guillet-Rosso F, Frydman R: Actual methods and results in an IVF and ET program.In Gamete Quality and Fertility Regulation, Proceedings of the 5th Reinier de Graaf Symposium, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Aug 23–24, 1984, R Rolland, MJ Heineman, SG Hillier, H Vemer (eds). New York, Excerpta Medica, Elsevier, 1985, pp 271–287
Adams CE: Consequences of accelerated ovum transport, including a re-evaluation of the Este's operation. J Reprod Fert 1979;55:239–246
Kreitmann O, Hodgen GD: Retarded cleavage rates of preimplantation monkey embryos in vitro. JAMA 1981;246:627–629
Feichtinger W, Kemeter P: Early stage embryo transfer—A possible reason for a highly reduced abortion rate.In Gamete Quality and Fertility Regulation, Proceedings of the 5th Reinier de Graaf Symposium, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Aug 23–24, 1984, R Rolland, MJ Heineman, SG Hillier, H Vemer, (eds). New York, Excerpta Medica, Elsevier, 1985, pp 283–288
Trounson A: Factors controlling normal embryo development and implantation of human oocytes fertilized in vitro.In Fertilization of the Human Egg in Vitro, HM Beier, HR Lindner (eds). New York, Springer-Verlag, 1983, pp 235–250
Dor J, Rudak E, Mashiach S, Nebel L, Serr DM, Goldman B: Periovulatory 17B-estradiol changes and embryo morphologic features in conception and nonconceptional cycles after human in vitro fertilization. Fertil Steril 1986;45:63–68
Kileen D, Moore NW: The morphological appearance and development of sheep ova fertilized by surgical insemination. J Reprod Fert 1971;24:63–70
Lopata A: Factors influencing the growth of human preimplantation embryos in vitro.In Human Conception in Vitro, RG Edwards, JM Purdy, (eds). New York, Academic Press, 1982, pp 207–226
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Claman, P., Armant, D.R., Seibel, M.M. et al. The impact of embryo quality and quantity on implantation and the establishment of viable pregnancies. J Assist Reprod Genet 4, 218–222 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533759
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533759