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Is there a relationship between time-lapse parameters and embryo sex?
Fernando Bronet1, María-Carmen Nogales1, Eva Martínez1
1IVI Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Fertility and Sterility
|December 10, 2014
Summary
Embryo sex can be predicted using specific cleavage timings, potentially influencing embryo selection for transfer. This study analyzed embryo development kinetics to differentiate between male and female embryos.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Embryology
- Genetics
Background:
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is crucial for assessing embryo health.
- Embryo development kinetics, observed via time-lapse technology, offer insights into embryo viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if embryo sex can be identified based on cleavage timings.
- To explore the relationship between embryo sex and morphokinetic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of 421 embryos undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
- Embryos cultured in an Embryoscope incubator with time-lapse technology.
- Analysis of cleavage timing and morphokinetic parameters, including second synchrony and morula formation timing.
Main Results:
- Statistical differences in morphokinetic parameters were observed between male and female embryos.
- Second synchrony (>2 hours) and timing of morula formation (80.8-90.9 hours) were identified as key predictors.
- An algorithm was developed to estimate the likelihood of an embryo being female, ranging from 42% to 71%.
Conclusions:
- Embryo sex influences developmental kinetics.
- Embryo selection methods based on kinetic parameters may affect the sex ratio of transferred embryos.
