Embryo score is a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos or female age.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the value of 17 IVF variables, including a new mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), in predicting pregnancy rate.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Private IVF unit.


METHODS
Women who underwent 10,000 embryo transfers.


METHODS
Duration of infertility, type of infertility, female age, rank of IVF attempt, type of ovarian treatment, progesterone level, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, number of embryos obtained, fertilization rate, number of transferred embryos, cumulative embryo score (CES), mean score of transferred embryos (MSTE), and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
Outcome of IVF-ET was significantly correlated with female age, type of infertility, number of retrieved oocytes, number of mature oocytes, maturation rate, embryos obtained, fertilization rate, transferred embryos, CES, and MSTE. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that MSTE was a better predictor of pregnancy than the number of transferred embryos and female age.


CONCLUSIONS
Embryo quality is the best predictor of pregnancy. The embryo score described herein should be used in IVF-ET programs to choose the best embryos for transfer.
Terriou
P
P
Institut de Médecine de la Reproduction, Marseille, France. philippe.terriou@wanadoo.fr
Sapin
C
C
Giorgetti
C
C
Hans
E
E
Spach
J L
JL
Roulier
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002452:Cell Count; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities
D011374:Progesterone