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Human Embryo Morphokinetics Correlation with Obstetric Outcomes and Antepartum Biomarkers
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine
|July 21, 2018
Summary
Embryo morphology, specifically inner cell mass (ICM) quality, did not predict most pregnancy outcomes after single embryo transfers (SETs). However, lower ICM scores correlated with higher maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Embryology
Background:
- Single embryo transfer (SET) is a common practice in assisted reproductive technology.
- Evaluating embryo morphology is crucial for predicting pregnancy success.
- Antepartum biomarkers can provide insights into pregnancy health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between embryo morphology and antepartum biomarker levels.
- To assess the correlation between embryo morphology and obstetric outcomes after SETs.
- To determine if embryo quality influences maternal serum markers and perinatal results.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2,882 SETs performed between 2001 and 2013.
- Comparison of embryo morphology (cleavage and blastocyst stages) with serologic and obstetric data from 78 patients.
- Statistical analysis adjusting for maternal confounding variables (age, BMI, parity, smoking).
Main Results:
- Lower inner cell mass (ICM) quality in embryos was significantly associated with elevated second-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and AFP multiples of median (MoM).
- This association remained significant after adjusting for maternal factors.
- No significant correlation was found between embryo morphokinetics and most placental biomarkers or overall perinatal outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Embryo morphokinetics generally do not predict perinatal outcomes or most placental biomarkers.
- A low ICM score is linked to increased maternal serum AFP levels, suggesting a potential area for further research.
- Despite the AFP association, no significant differences in obstetric outcomes were observed between embryos with low and high ICM scores when controlling for maternal variables, reassuring patients about similar outcomes regardless of embryo morphology.
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