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- TSRM 2021: Embryo Competence Relates to Blastocyst Formation Timing
TSRM 2021: Embryo Competence Relates to Blastocyst Formation Timing
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Presented by NUWA Fertility at the 2022 Taiwan Society for Reproductive Medicine (TSRM) Annual Meeting
At the 2021 TSRM conference, NUWA Fertility presented a research study that revealed a significant correlation between the time required for blastocyst formation and the chromosomal normalcy of embryos. This finding offers a new and valuable metric for embryo selection in IVF treatment.
Background: Investigating the Link Between Development Timing and Embryo Quality
In IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment, selecting chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos is crucial to improving clinical pregnancy rates. A blastocyst is a more advanced embryo stage typically observed on day 5 or 6 of culture. This study aimed to examine whether the time interval from fertilization to blastocoel (blastocyst cavity) formation could serve as a predictive marker for embryo chromosomal status. Researchers hypothesized that blastocyst formation timing might reflect underlying embryo competence and could guide single blastocyst transfer (SBT) decisions.
Methodology: Linking Blastocyst Development Timing with PGS Results
The research team analyzed 163 day-5 blastocysts that had undergone preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). For each embryo, they recorded the precise timing of blastocyst cavity formation and compared this with PGS outcomes—categorizing embryos as either euploid (chromosomally normal) or aneuploid (chromosomally abnormal).
Results: Longer Development Time Indicates Higher Risk of Aneuploidy
The study found that aneuploid embryos required a significantly longer time to reach the blastocyst stage than euploid embryos. This suggests that prolonged blastocyst formation timing is strongly associated with chromosomal abnormalities, supporting the notion that development speed may reflect both the embryo’s viability and genetic integrity.
Clinical Significance: Development Timing as a Selection Criterion
This study concludes that blastocyst formation timing can serve as a valuable indicator when assessing chromosomal normalcy. In cases where only one blastocyst is selected for transfer, embryologists can consider this metric—prioritizing embryos that reach the blastocyst stage more rapidly, as they may have higher implantation potential and genetic competence.
NUWA Fertility will continue exploring data-driven markers of embryo quality and applying the latest research findings to clinical practice. By integrating blastocyst formation timing with traditional morphology and genetic screening, the goal is to offer patients a more precise and effective embryo selection strategy—ultimately improving IVF success rates.
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