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Improving embryo selection using a computer-automated time-lapse image analysis test plus day 3 morphology: results
Joe Conaghan1, Alice A Chen, Susan P Willman
1Pacific Fertility Center, San Francisco, California, USA.
Fertility and Sterility
|June 1, 2013
Summary
The Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment) system enhances embryologists' ability to select viable blastocysts from day 3 embryos. This computer-automated analysis improves embryo selection accuracy and reduces variability in IVF clinics.
Area of Science:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) and reproductive medicine.
- Embryology and assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Background:
- Blastocyst transfer is associated with higher implantation rates compared to cleavage-stage transfer in IVF.
- Accurate selection of embryos with blastocyst potential is crucial for improving IVF success rates.
- Current methods rely on day 3 morphology, which has limitations in predicting blastocyst development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the first automated platform, Eeva (Early Embryo Viability Assessment), for time-lapse image analysis and blastocyst prediction.
- To determine if Eeva's screening information can assist embryologists in selecting day 3 embryos for potential blastocyst development.
- To assess the impact of Eeva on embryologists' ability to differentiate embryos likely to become blastocysts.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicenter cohort study involving 160 women undergoing fresh IVF treatment across five US clinics.
- Utilized a noninvasive test combining time-lapse image analysis with Eeva software for early embryo development assessment and day 3 blastocyst predictions.
- Compared the ability of experienced embryologists to select blastocyst-forming embryos using day 3 morphology alone versus morphology combined with Eeva.
Main Results:
- The combination of Eeva and day 3 morphology significantly improved embryologists' ability to identify embryos reaching the usable blastocyst stage, with specificity increasing from 41.9%-79.5% to 84.0%-86.6%.
- Eeva adjunctive use enhanced embryo selection by better discriminating against embryos unlikely to develop to blastocyst, particularly benefiting the selection of good-morphology embryos.
- The integration of Eeva reduced inter-individual variability among embryologists in embryo selection processes.
Conclusions:
- The addition of Eeva to the standard embryo grading process shows potential to improve the success rates of cleavage-stage embryo transfers.
- Automated time-lapse image analysis with Eeva offers a promising tool to enhance embryo selection in IVF.
- Further integration of such technologies may optimize IVF outcomes by improving the selection of viable embryos.
