title: Zygote evaluation: an efficient tool for embryo selection.
abstract: One of the main problems concerning IVF units is the need to decrease the occurrence of multiple pregnancies in their practice without affecting the overall success rate. Different embryological parameters concerning every step of the early embryo development are known to have some predictive value for implantation potential. In this prospective study, a pronuclear scoring system was used to classify zygotes into six patterns from 0 to 5. Cleaved, day 3 embryos developed from pattern 0 zygotes, which was described as the normal pattern, were transferred when available. For each zygote pattern, the subsequent embryological development was analysed. Pattern 0 zygotes led to significantly more 'good quality' embryos with higher implantation potential than embryos developing from the other zygote patterns (P < 0.01). Embryo transfers including at least one pattern 0 resulted in significantly more pregnancies than transfers without any pattern 0 zygotes (39.3 versus 19.7%, P < 0. 01). No relationship between clinical parameters (age of female partner, infertility cause) and zygote pattern distribution was demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, Centre Médico-Chirurgical et Obstétrical (SIHCUS), 19 rue Louis Pasteur, BP 120, 67303 Schiltigheim, France. christiane.wittemer@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittemer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bettahar-Lebugle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ohl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rongières
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nisand
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gerlinger
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D015053:Zygote / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*