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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Human Blastocyst Biopsy and Vitrification
Published on: July 26, 2019
Effect of fragment removal on blastocyst formation and quality of human embryos
Poopak Eftekhari-Yazdi1, Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi, Saeed Kazemi Ashtiani
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modarres University, PO Box 14115-111, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Blastomere fragmentation is one of the most significant defects in cleaving embryos. Scientists believed that removing the fragments was a possible way to reduce their unwanted effects. This hypothesis has been tested in some studies in which the development of human fragmented embryos was followed in vivo after all fragments were removed, but little is known about the potential for in-vitro development of such embryos, which is the subject of the present study. For this purpose, 4-6 cell surplus human embryos were scored according to the degree and pattern of fragmentation into four grades, allocated into two groups of control and fragmentation removal (experimental) and cultured sequentially. At the end of day 6 of culture, in the experimental group especially in grade IV blastocyst rate, size and number of blastomeres in each blastocyst were all improved compared with those of the control group (42.3 versus 20.0%; 19,205.7 +/- 1060.3 versus 15,825.9 +/- 448.7 microm(2) and 100.14 +/- 13.48 versus 63.75 +/- 19.79 respectively, P < 0.05). In the grade IV embryos, apoptotic index was also significantly reduced after embryo fragmentation removal (3.40 +/- 0.88 versus 22.99 +/- 4.45, P < 0.05). In conclusion, fragmentation removal had a positive effect on human fragmented embryos and produced the best quality blastocysts.
Insights
Removing blastomere fragments from human embryos significantly improves in-vitro development and blastocyst quality. This fragmentation removal technique enhances embryo viability and reduces apoptosis, offering a promising approach for assisted reproductive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Blastomere fragmentation is a common defect in human embryos during early development.
- Fragment removal is hypothesized to mitigate negative effects on embryo development.
- Limited data exists on the in-vitro developmental potential of human fragmented embryos post-fragment removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in-vitro developmental potential of human embryos after blastomere fragmentation removal.
- To assess the impact of fragmentation removal on blastocyst formation, blastomere count, and apoptotic index.
Main Methods:
- Surplus human embryos (4-6 cell stage) were graded based on fragmentation degree and pattern.
- Embryos were divided into control and fragmentation removal (experimental) groups.
- Sequential in-vitro culture was performed up to day 6, with subsequent analysis of blastocyst development and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significantly improved blastocyst rates, especially in grade IV embryos (42.3% vs. 20.0%).
- Blastocyst size and blastomere number were significantly higher in the fragmentation removal group.
- Apoptotic index was significantly reduced in grade IV embryos following fragmentation removal (3.40% vs. 22.99%).
Conclusions:
- Fragmentation removal positively impacts the in-vitro development of human fragmented embryos.
- The procedure leads to the production of higher quality blastocysts.
- This technique holds potential for improving outcomes in assisted reproductive treatments.
