Skip to main content
Log in

Correlation between embryological factors and pregnancy rate: development of an embryo score in a cryopreservation programme

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Purpose

To establish which embryo parameters, in frozen thawed embryo transfers, have the highest prognosis value in the establishment of pregnancy. The relative importance of different embryo parameters is used to develop an embryo score.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the implantation rate in 356 frozen/thawed single embryo transfers. A logistic regression model is used to establish an embryo score.

Results

A direct correlation is established between the implantation rate and fresh embryo development (number of blastomeres and their symmetry), survival rate after thawing and mitosis resumption after overnight culture.

Conclusions

An embryo score is developed to determine the implantation potential of frozen/thawed embryos.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Trounson A, Mohr L. Human pregnancy following cryopreservation, thawing and transfer of an eight-cell embryo. Nature. 1983;305:707–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zeilmaker GH, Alberda AT, van Gent I, Rijkmans CM, Drogendijk AC. Two pregnancies following transfer of intact frozen-thawed embryos. Fertil Steril. 1984;42:293–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Veiga A, Calderon G, Barri PN, Coroleu B. Pregnancy after the replacement of a frozen-thawed embryo with less than 50% intact blastomeres. Hum Reprod. 1987;2:321–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Tiitinen A, Halttunen M, Harkki P, Vuoristo P, Hyden-Granskog C. Elective single embryo transfer: the value of cryopreservation. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:1140–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Le Lannou D, Griveau JF, Laurent MC, Gueho A, Veron E, Morcel K. Contribution of embryo cryopreservation to elective single embryo transfer in IVF-ICSI. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;13:368–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lundin K, Bergh C. Cumulative impact of adding frozen-thawed cycles to single versus double fresh embryo transfers. Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;15:76–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sills ES, McLoughlin LJ, Genton MG, Walsh DJ, Coull GD, Walsh AP. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and prophylactic human embryo cryopreservation: analysis of reproductive outcome following thawed embryo transfer. J Ovarian Res. 2008;1:7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Verwoerd GR, Mathews T, Brinsden PR. Optimal follicle and oocyte numbers for cryopreservation of all embryos in IVF cycles at risk of OHSS. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008;17:312–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Edgar DH, Bourne H, Jericho H, McBain JC. The developmental potential of cryopreserved human embryos. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2000;169:69–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Andersen AN, Gianaroli L, Felberbaum R, de Mouzon J, Nygren KG, The European IVF-monitoring programme (EIM), European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2001. Results generated from European registers by ESHRE. Hum Reprod 2005;20:1158–76.

  11. Schalkoff ME, Oskowitz SP, Powers RD. A multifactorial analysis of the pregnancy outcome in a successful embryo cryopreservation program. Fertil Steril. 1993;59:1070–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Edgar DH, Jericho H, Bourne H, McBain JC. The influence of prefreeze growth rate and blastomere number on cryosurvival and subsequent implantation of human embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2001;18:135–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Salumets A, Tuuri T, Makinen S, Vilska S, Husu L, Tainio R, et al. Effect of developmental stage of embryo at freezing on pregnancy outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Hum Reprod. 2003;18:1890–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. El-Toukhy T, Khalaf Y, Al-Darazi K, Andritsos V, Taylor A, Braude P. Effect of blastomere loss on the outcome of frozen embryo replacement cycles. Fertil Steril. 2003;79:1106–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Gabrielsen A, Fedder J, Agerholm I. Parameters predicting the implantation rate of thawed IVF/ICSI embryos: a retrospective study. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:70–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tang R, Catt J, Howlett D. Towards defining parameters for a successful single embryo transfer in frozen cycles. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:1179–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Salumets A, Suikkari AM, Makinen S, Karro H, Roos A, Tuuri T. Frozen embryo transfers: implications of clinical and embryological factors on the pregnancy outcome. Hum Reprod. 2006;21:2368–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Edgar DH, Archer J, McBain J, Bourne H. Embryonic factors affecting outcome from single cryopreserved embryo transfer. Reprod Biomed Online. 2007;14:718–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Lassalle B, Testart J, Renard JP. Human embryo features that influence the success of cryopreservation with the use of 1, 2 propanediol. Fertil Steril. 1985;44:645–51.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Coroleu B, Barri PN, Carreras O, Martinez F, Veiga A, Balasch J. The usefulness of ultrasound guidance in frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a prospective randomized clinical trial. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:2885–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hosmer DW, Lemeshow S. Applied logistic regression. 2nd ed. New York: Willey; 2000.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  22. Hyden-Granskog C, Unkila-Kallio L, Halttunen M, Tiitinen A. Single embryo transfer is an option in frozen embryo transfer. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:2935–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Olivius C, Lundin K, Bergh C. Predictive factors for live birth in cryopreservation single embryo transfer cycles. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008;17:676–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mandelbaum J, Belaisch-Allart J, Junca AM, Antoine JM, Plachot M, Alvarez S, et al. Cryopreservation in human assisted reproduction is now routine for embryos but remains a research procedure for oocytes. Hum Reprod. 1998;Suppl 3:161–74. discussion 175–7.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lahav-Baratz S, Koifman M, Shiloh H, Ishai D, Wiener-Megnazi Z, Dirnfeld M. Analyzing factors affecting the success rate of frozen-thawed embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003;20:444–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Sifer C, Sellami A, Poncelet C, Martin-Pont B, Porcher R, Hugues JN, et al. Day 3 compared with day 2 cryopreservation does not affect embryo survival but improves the outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfers. Fertil Steril. 2006;86:1537–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Hardarson T, Hanson C, Sjogren A, Lundin K. Human embryos with unevenly sized blastomeres have lower pregnancy and implantation rates: indications for aneuploidy and multinucleation. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:313–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Holte J, Berglund L, Milton K, Garello C, Gennarelli G, Revelli A, et al. Construction of an evidence-based integrated morphology cleavage embryo score for implantation potential of embryos scored and transferred on day 2 after oocyte retrieval. Hum Reprod. 2007;22:548–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Van Royen E, Mangelschots K, De Neubourg D, Valkenburg M, Van de Meerssche M, Ryckaert G, et al. Characterization of a top quality embryo, a step towards single-embryo transfer. Hum Reprod. 1999;14:2345–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Guerif F, Bidault R, Cadoret V, Couet ML, Lansac J, Royere D. Parameters guiding selection of best embryos for transfer after cryopreservation: a reappraisal. Hum Reprod. 2002;17:1321–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the members of the Servei de Medicina de la Reproducció of Institut Universitari Dexeus in Barcelona for providing clinical and embryological data essential for the development of this study. This work was done under the auspices of the Catedra d’Investigacio en Obstetricia i Ginecologia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miquel Solé.

Additional information

Capsule

In a retrospective study, the relative importance of diferent embryo parameters in a cryopreservation programe is used to develop an embryo score for determining the implantation potential.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Solé, M., Santaló, J., Rodríguez, I. et al. Correlation between embryological factors and pregnancy rate: development of an embryo score in a cryopreservation programme. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 129–136 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9498-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9498-0

Keywords

Navigation