Polycystic ovary syndrome and morphokinetic embryonic development: a case-control study evaluating 791 embryos

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women.
• The impact of PCOS on embryo development during IVF remains a subject of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare embryo development rates between women with PCOS and a control group with tubal factor infertility using time-lapse monitoring.
• To investigate the association between PCOS and morphokinetic parameters of embryonic development.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-control study in an IVF unit.
• Analysis of 791 embryos from 115 women (52 with PCOS, 63 controls).
• Utilized time-lapse monitoring to assess morphokinetic parameters and logistic models for predictors.

Main Results:

• PCOS group was younger and had higher oocyte yield but comparable clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates to controls.
• Morphokinetic parameters were largely similar between groups.
• PCOS was associated with a later time to start of blastulation (tSB), but not overall embryonic development rate.

Conclusions:

• Women with PCOS undergoing IVF demonstrate comparable outcomes to non-PCOS controls.
• Time-lapse monitoring data indicates PCOS does not adversely affect the rate of embryonic development in IVF cycles.