Survival of cryopreservation and thawing with all blastomeres intact identifies multicell embryos with superior frozen embryo transfer outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of survival of cryopreservation and thawing with all blastomeres intact on the outcome of multicell frozen ET.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Academic assisted reproductive technology program.


METHODS
One hundred sixteen exclusively multicell frozen ETs in 78 patients.


METHODS
Frozen ET.


METHODS
Relation of embryonic blastomere survival to the outcome of frozen ET (i.e., pregnancy).


RESULTS
When at least one embryo survived with all blastomeres intact, the total pregnancy rate (biochemical, clinical, or delivered) was 37.7%, the clinical pregnancy rate was 24.6%, and the delivered pregnancy rate was 18.8%. When no embryo survived with all blastomeres intact, the corresponding rates were 10.6%, 8.5%, and 6.4%. The differences in the total pregnancy rate and the clinical pregnancy rate were statistically significant. The delivered pregnancy rates approached statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Multicell embryonic survival of cryopreservation and thawing with all blastomeres intact identifies embryos with superior developmental potential.
Burns
W N
WN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78284-7836, USA.
Gaudet
T W
TW
Martin
M B
MB
Leal
Y R
YR
Schoen
H
H
Eddy
C A
CA
Schenken
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000502:physiology*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin