title: Early compaction at day 3 may be a useful additional criterion for embryo transfer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The reduction of the number of embryos transferred while maintaining a satisfactory rate of pregnancy (PR) with in vitro fertilization calls for a refined technique of embryonic selection. This prospective study investigates the significance of early embryonic compaction at day 3 as a marker of the chances of implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 317 transfers and their outcome involving 509 embryos including 91 compacted embryos.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early compaction seems linked with the ovarian response to stimulation and embryonic quality. The PR is significantly increased when the embryonic cohort contains at least one compacted embryo (44% versus 29.5%, p = 0.01), and when at least one compacted embryo is transferred (44% versus 31%, p < 0.05). The analysis of our single embryo transfers shows that the implantation rates are significantly better for compacted embryos (50% versus 30%, p < 0.05) (OR 2.98; CI 1.02-5.28).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, early compaction, sometimes observed at day 3, may serve as a useful additional criterion for selecting the embryos transferred.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Cruguel
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferré-L'Hôtellier
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morinière
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemerle
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reynier
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Descamps
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: May-Panloup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001757:Blastomeres / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D002459:Cell Fusion; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011786:Quality Control; D013997:Time Factors
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