title: Embryo aneuploidy and the role of morphological and genetic screening.
abstract: Chromosome abnormalities are common among human oocytes and are usually lethal to any embryos they produce. It therefore seems logical that a reliable technique for distinguishing between normal and aneuploid embryos would be a useful tool for physicians and embryologists, assisting the choice of which embryo(s) to prioritize for uterine transfer. This concept has led to the development of a variety of methods for the detection of chromosome abnormalities in oocytes and embryos, most often referred to as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). However, several well-controlled studies have been unable to show an advantage of chromosome screening in terms of pregnancy and birth rates. Some investigators have suggested that damage to embryos, sustained during cleavage-stage biopsy, might explain why PGS has not always provided the anticipated benefits. This paper asks whether there is evidence that a non-invasive, morphological analysis could allow chromosomally normal embryos to be accurately identified and reviews data from the most recent publication concerning IVF outcome following PGS.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. dagan.wells@obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Dagan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wells
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*