What does morphokinetics add to embryo selection and in-vitro fertilization outcomes?

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Time-lapse technology provides novel insights into embryo development.
• Morphokinetics offers objective markers for embryo viability and implantation potential.
• Standard morphological assessment is the current benchmark in IVF laboratories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the application of embryo morphokinetics as an adjunct to standard morphological assessment.
• To evaluate the potential of morphokinetics to improve IVF outcomes.
• To highlight the role of objective, quantifiable markers in embryo selection.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on time-lapse technology and embryo morphokinetics.
• Analysis of algorithms utilizing kinetic markers at various stages of embryo development.
• Evaluation of published randomized controlled trials comparing morphokinetic assessment with standard methods.

Main Results:

• Several morphokinetic algorithms have been developed, focusing on early or late developmental stages.
• One published randomized controlled trial demonstrated significant increases in implantation and ongoing pregnancy rates.
• Embryo selection based on a combination of morphology and morphokinetics showed improved clinical results.

Conclusions:

• Standard morphological assessment remains the primary method for embryo evaluation.
• Morphokinetics can effectively complement morphological assessment for more accurate and objective embryo selection.
• This integrated approach may reduce the number of embryos transferred while maintaining or improving IVF success rates.