Embryonic Arrest, Contributing Factors and Proposed Solutions: A Brief Review

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are among the most effective infertility treatment strategies, which may be challenged in the case of preimplantation embryonic developmental arrest (EDA). This review aims to elucidate the characteristics of arrested embryos and provide an overview of the factors contributing to developmental arrest, along with potential strategies to mitigate this issue. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the databases PubMed and Google Scholar up to 2025, with relevant keywords related to the topic for article identification. Achieving successful reproduction requires precise regulation of fertilization and early embryonic development processes. This early phase of development is influenced by a complex interplay of internal and external factors, even minor alterations, which may result in developmental arrest. Preimplantation embryonic arrest (PREMBA) occurs in two forms: temporary and permanent. Arrested in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos can be divided into three categories: Type I, arrest before the four-cell stage; Type II, arrest between the four- and eight-cell stages; and Type III, arrest from the early to late morula stages. Various factors may induce PREMBA; notably, genetic alterations during embryogenesis may impair development. Additionally, laboratory conditions, including embryo culture media and incubation parameters, play a critical role in ensuring proper embryonic growth. Despite the application of ART methods, challenges persist regarding embryonic arrest prior to implantation. Our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms and effective interventions remains limited. Therefore, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the etiology of embryonic arrest and explore potential approaches to enhance ART outcomes, thereby addressing existing knowledge gaps and informing future research.