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Blastocyst expansion score and trophectoderm morphology strongly predict successful clinical pregnancy and live birth following elective single embryo blastocyst transfer (eSET): a national study

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
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Abstract

Purpose

To determine which characteristics of blastocyst embryo morphology may predict clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data from 3,151 cycles of fresh, non-donor eSET cycles from 2008 to 2009 was performed. Data were obtained from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) underwent. All eSET were performed at the blastocyst stage. Main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

Results

Trophectoderm morphology, embryo stage and patient age are highly significant independent predictors of both clinical pregnancy and live birth. Neither inner cell mass morphology nor embryo grade predicted clinical pregnancy or live birth.

Conclusions

Better trophectoderm morphology, younger patient age and further blastocyst progression all result in higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Therefore, trophectoderm morphology and blastocyst stage should preferentially be used as the most important factors in choosing the best embryo for transfer.

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Conflicts of interest

S.M.T, N.O., and K.B. have no conflicts of interests or financial disclosures. P.M. has grant funding from EMD Serono, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Merck Pharmaceuticals unrelated to this study. S.J. has grant funding from Ferring Pharmaceuticals unrelated to this study.

Financial disclosures

This study has no financial support.

Preliminary data from this study was presented at the Society for Gynecologic Investigators, March 2012. San Diego, Ca.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave. E-506, Newark, NJ, 07103, USA

    Stephanie Marshall Thompson

  2. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

    Sangita K. Jindal

  3. The Diamond Institute for Infertility and Menopause, Millburn, NY, USA

    Ndidiamaka Onwubalili

  4. Division of Perinatology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, USA

    Kelecia Brown

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY, USA

    Peter G. McGovern

Authors
  1. Stephanie Marshall Thompson
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  2. Ndidiamaka Onwubalili
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  3. Kelecia Brown
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  4. Sangita K. Jindal
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  5. Peter G. McGovern
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie Marshall Thompson.

Additional information

Capsule Live birth and clinical pregnancy rates after elective single embryo transfer are predicted by trophectoderm morphology, patient age and blastocyst expansion score.

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Thompson, S.M., Onwubalili, N., Brown, K. et al. Blastocyst expansion score and trophectoderm morphology strongly predict successful clinical pregnancy and live birth following elective single embryo blastocyst transfer (eSET): a national study. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1577–1581 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0100-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0100-4

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