Blastocyst quality affects the success of blastocyst-stage embryo transfer

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between blastocyst quality and the results of embryo transfer at the blastocyst stage.

Design: Retrospective case analysis.

Setting: Tertiary care private hospital IVF center.

Patient(s): A total of 350 blastocyst-stage embryo transfer cycles.

Intervention(s): In vitro culture to the blastocyst stage was undertaken in 350 ICSI cycles where four or more cleavage-stage embryos were available on day 3.

Main outcome measure(s): Relationship between blastocyst quality and implantation and clinical and multiple pregnancy rates.

Result(s): Transfer of at least one grade 1 or grade 2 blastocyst or one hatching blastocyst was associated with very high implantation and pregnancy rates. However, transfer of grade 3 blastocysts yielded very low implantation and pregnancy rates.

Conclusion(s): There appears to be a strong correlation between blastocyst quality and success of blastocyst transfer.