Can embryo morphokinetic parameters predict euploid pregnancy loss?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Embryology
• Genetics

Background:

• Euploid pregnancy loss, despite chromosomally normal embryos, remains a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technologies.
• Understanding the factors contributing to these losses is crucial for improving live birth rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare embryo morphokinetic parameters, assessed via time-lapse imaging, between embryos resulting in euploid pregnancy loss and those leading to a live birth.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic fertility center.
• Analyzed data from 192 euploid single embryo transfers between October 2015 and January 2018.
• Compared morphokinetic parameters including time to syngamy, cleavage stages, morula, and blastocyst formation.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics (age, BMI, oocytes retrieved) between groups.
• Time-lapse imaging revealed no significant differences in embryo morphokinetics between embryos resulting in euploid miscarriage and those resulting in live birth.
• Pregnancy and live-birth rates were 78% and 63%, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Embryos leading to euploid miscarriage do not exhibit abnormal morphokinetics on time-lapse imaging.
• Euploid pregnancy loss is likely multifactorial, involving both embryo and endometrial factors.
• Further research is necessary to identify predictors and preventive strategies for euploid pregnancy loss.