Can repeated IVF-ICSI-cycles be avoided by using blastocysts developing from poor-quality cleavage stage embryos?

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Clinics often discard poor-quality cleavage stage embryos after IVF/ICSI.
• This practice overlooks the potential developmental capacity of these embryos.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the viability of culturing poor-quality cleavage stage embryos to blastocysts.
• To determine the pregnancy and delivery rates from these blastocysts.
• To calculate the number of repeated IVF/ICSI cycles that could be avoided.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 604 IVF/ICSI cycles.
• Poor-quality cleavage stage embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage (Day 5-6).
• Blastocysts were vitrified, warmed, and transferred; outcomes were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Vitrified blastocysts from poor-quality embryos yielded a 24.6% clinical pregnancy rate and 17.2% delivery rate.
• Cumulative delivery rate increased from 43% to 47%.
• 53 repeated IVF/ICSI treatment cycles were avoided.

Conclusions:

• Extended culture of poor-quality cleavage stage embryos to blastocysts is a viable strategy.
• This approach enhances cumulative delivery rates and reduces the need for repeat IVF/ICSI cycles.
• Utilizing surplus blastocysts improves treatment efficiency and patient outcomes.