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Human blastocyst grading: an indicator of developmental potential?
A Dokras1, I L Sargent, D H Barlow
1Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, UK.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Blastocyst grading at the blastocyst stage, not day 2, better predicts human embryo development potential. Grade 3 blastocysts and vacuolated morulae show significantly poorer outcomes, indicating a need for improved embryo selection for assisted reproductive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Embryology
- In Vitro Fertilization
Background:
- Human embryo development to blastocyst stage shows significant variation.
- Early embryo grading (day 2) poorly predicts blastocyst development potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate blastocyst stage grading for predicting embryo development potential.
- To compare morphological and biochemical markers of human blastocysts.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of 41 blastocysts into three grades based on morphology.
- Documentation of hatching, adherence, growth, and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion.
- Nuclei counting in 34 blastocysts and assessment of vacuolated morulae.
Main Results:
- No significant difference between Grade 1 and 2 blastocysts in development, HCG secretion, or nuclei counts.
- Grade 3 blastocysts exhibited poor morphology, lower HCG levels, and fewer nuclei.
- Vacuolated morulae showed poor development, no HCG secretion, and fewer nuclei than Grade 1 and 2 blastocysts.
Conclusions:
- Blastocyst stage grading is a more reliable predictor of embryo development potential than day 2 grading.
- Improved blastocyst selection is crucial for assessing the success of embryo transfer and cryopreservation.
- Data can inform evaluations of assisted reproductive technologies like co-culture.