A minimally invasive methodology based on morphometric parameters for day 2 embryo quality assessment

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Embryology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Background:

• Reducing multiple pregnancies in assisted reproductive technology is crucial for maternal-fetal health.
• Current embryo selection methods have limitations in predicting implantation potential.
• Developing objective tools for embryo assessment is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the predictive ability of morphological and morphometric variables for embryo implantation.
• To analyze embryo images for key features correlating with successful implantation.
• To identify objective parameters for enhancing embryo scoring.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 135 embryo photographs from 112 IVF-ICSI cycles.
• Embryo imaging performed immediately before transfer using Cronus 3 software.
• Image analysis conducted using the public program ImageJ to assess morphological and morphometric variables.

Main Results:

• Morphometric variables demonstrated significantly higher discriminant power (P < 0.05) for predicting implantation compared to morphological ones.
• Key features of successfully implanted embryos included: 4 cells on day 2, round blastomeres (roundness factor > 0.9), zona pellucida thickness of 13 µm, and embryo area of 17695.1 µm².
• Embryo area and average cell roundness factor emerged as objective predictors of implantation.

Conclusions:

• Embryo size (area) and cell shape (roundness factor) are objective, quantifiable variables for predicting implantation success.
• Morphometric analysis of embryo images offers a promising approach to improve embryo selection in IVF.
• Further investigation into this objective assessment method could enhance embryo scoring and reduce multiple pregnancies.