title: Trophectoderm grade predicts outcomes of single-blastocyst transfers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the effect of the embryo stage, trophectoderm (TE) morphology grade, and inner cell mass (ICM) morphology grade on live birth in single-blastocyst transfers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large private assisted reproductive technologies (ART) practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh autologous ART cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Live birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 694 single-blastocyst transfers met the inclusion criteria. Univariate regression analysis showed embryo stage and TE score to be correlated with implantation and live birth. Live birth rates were 57%, 40%, and 25% for TE grades A, B, and C, respectively. There was no significant association between ICM grade and implantation or live birth. Live birth rates were 53%, 52%, and 0% for ICM grades A, B, and C respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only patient age and TE grade were significantly associated with implantation and live birth, whereas ICM grade was not significantly associated with outcome. The TE score had the strongest correlation with live birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TE grading, but not ICM grading, significantly correlated with implantation and live birth for single-blastocyst transfers.
authors: Shady Grove Fertility Reproductive Science Center, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
authors: Micah J
authors: MJ
authors: Hill
authors: Kevin S
authors: KS
authors: Richter
authors: Ryan J
authors: RJ
authors: Heitmann
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Graham
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Tucker
authors: Alan H
authors: AH
authors: DeCherney
authors: Paulette E
authors: PE
authors: Browne
authors: Eric D
authors: ED
authors: Levens
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D053624:Blastocyst Inner Cell Mass / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data