First polar body morphology and blastocyst formation rate in ICSI patients.
BACKGROUND
It may be beneficial to identify, at a very early stage of development, concepti that will result in viable blastocysts by using a non-invasive technique.


METHODS
Homogeneous groups in terms of first polar body (PB) morphology were analysed with regard to fertilization, embryo quality and blastocyst formation. The strategy was to transfer a maximum of two blastocysts with an adequate inner cell mass deriving from oocytes with identical first PBs in order to obtain information about the actual implantation potential.


RESULTS
A significant relationship between first PB morphology and embryo quality was found. Fragmentation after 2 days was increased in embryos derived from oocytes with fragmented first PBs (P < 0.05) in comparison with those derived from oocytes with intact PBs. No similar correlation could be demonstrated for fertilization rate. Embryos in the intact first PB group showed an increased rate of blastocyst formation as compared with the fragmented first PB group (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant difference in implantation rate (48.6 versus 22.0%; P < 0.025) and ongoing pregnancy rate (68.4 versus 34.8%; P < 0.05) was observed for the intact versus fragmented groups respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the current study provides further evidence that preselection at a very early stage may be helpful in identifying a subgroup of preimplantation embryos with a good prognosis to form blastocysts and, consequently, to implant.
Women's General Hospital, IVF-Unit, Lederergasse 47, A-4010 Linz, Upper Austria, Austria. thomas.ebner@gespag.at
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Ebner
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Moser
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Sommergruber
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Yaman
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Pfleger
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Tews
D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic