title: The clinical need for a method of identification of embryos destined to become a blastocyst in assisted reproductive technology cycles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a rationale for continuation of efforts to improve the outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technology outcomes, thereby increasing the likelihood of the live birth of healthy neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description of rationale and a framework leading to improvement in Assisted Reproductive Technology outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The opportunity for improvement in the success rate for Assisted Reproductive Technology outcome is predicated on selection of the highest quality embryo(s) for transfer. However, such approaches must be balanced by a limit to the number of embryos transferred so as to reduce the risk for multiple births and particularly higher order multiple gestations. Blastocyst transfer offers one such successful approach, but is confounded by suggestions of an increased risk of both pregnancy complications and epigenetic disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for development of approaches which, individually or in combination, may assist in the early detection of embryos destined to develop into blastocysts.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. mdiamond@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Willman
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chenette
authors.forename: Marcelle I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Cedars
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009099:Multiple Birth Offspring; D011247:Pregnancy; D019836:Preimplantation Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D012307:Risk Factors