Patient selection criteria for blastocyst transfers in extended embryo culture programs.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the correlation between different cycles, patient factors and blastocyst characteristics.


METHODS
The study included 420 patients undergoing ICSI cycles and 2781 graded blastocysts, which took into account the blastocyst quality. The correlations between the blastocyst parameters and the patient and cycle characteristics were assessed.


RESULTS
The blastocyst development was negatively correlated with the maternal age, BMI and dose of FSH. The ICM was negatively correlated with the FSH dose, whereas the TE quality was influenced by the FSH dose, the maternal age and the number of retrieved oocytes. The embryo morphology on days two and three may predict the blastocyst developmental competence.


CONCLUSIONS
Older patients and patients with high BMI should not be included in extended embryo culture programmes. The extended culture may not favour embryos with poor morphology on days two and three of development. Additionally, a lower ovarian stimulation and decreased oocyte yields may lead to the development of high-quality blastocysts.
Fertility-Centro de Fertilização Assistida, Av. Brigadeiro Luis, 4545, São Paulo, SP, 01401-002, Brazil.
Daniela Paes Almeida Ferreira
DP
Braga
Amanda S
AS
Setti
Rita
R
de Cássia S Figueira
Rogério Bonassi
RB
Machado
Assumpto
A
Iaconelli
Edson
E
Borges
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic