Blastocyst morphology score as an indicator of embryo competence for women aged younger than 38 years in in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to clarify the usefulness of blastocyst scores and female age as embryo competence markers for embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.


METHODS
A total of 352 IVF cycles were investigated. The relevance of blastocyst scores and female age to pregnancy outcome was assessed by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
We revealed that, for patients aged < 35 years, the score of the best embryo was the sole factor related to multiple pregnancy, whereas the score of the best two embryos was the only factor relevant to pregnancy. For patients aged 35-37 years, the score of the best three embryos was the sole factor correlated to both pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. As for older patients, the correlation between blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcome was mainly affected by female age.


CONCLUSIONS
The blastocyst score could be used to determine the number of blastocysts transferred to younger patients, but it is less useful for patients aged > 38 years. For older patients, female age is a better indicator to determine the number of transferred blastocysts.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Tsung-Hsien
TH
Lee
Chin-Der
CD
Chen
Ming-Yih
MY
Wu
Hsin-Fu
HF
Chen
Shee-Uan
SU
Chen
Hong-Nerng
HN
Ho
Yu-Shih
YS
Yang
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
age; blastocyst; in vitro fertilization; multiple gestation; pregnancy