The Association of Kinetic Variables with Blastocyst Development and Ploidy Status

Francesca   Pennetta; Cristina  Lagalla; Raffaella  Sciajno; Nicoletta  Tarozzi; Marco   Nadalini; Carlotta  Zacà; Giovanni  Coticchio; Andrea  Borini

doi:10.18502/jri.v22i3.6716

Francesca Pennetta Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Cristina Lagalla Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Raffaella Sciajno Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Nicoletta Tarozzi Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Marco Nadalini Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Carlotta Zacà Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Giovanni Coticchio Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy
Andrea Borini Baby Family and Fertility Center, Bologna, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v22i3.6716

Keywords: Aneuploidy, Blastocyst, Embryo, Embryonic development, Microscopy

Abstract

Background: Despite a plethora of studies conducted so far, a debate is still unresolved as to whether TLM can identify predictive kinetic biomarkers or algorithms universally applicable. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate if there is a relationship between kinetic variables and ploidy status of human embryos or blastocyst developmental potential.

Methods: For conducting this retrospective cohort study, the normal distribution of data was verified using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test with the Lilliefors’ amendment and the Shapiro-Wilk test. Kinetic variables were expressed as median and quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the median values of parameters. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models were used to assess relationship between blastocyst developmental potential or ploidy status and kinetics. Several confounding factors were also assessed.

Results: Blastocyst developmental potential was positively correlated with the t4-t3 interval (s2) (OR=1.417, 95% CI of 1.288-1.560). s2 median value was significantly different between high- and low-quality blastocysts (0.50 and 1.33 hours post-insemination, hpi, respectively; p=0.003). In addition, timing of pronuclear appearance (tPNa) (OR=1.287; 95% CI of 1.131-1.463) had a significant relationship with ploidy changes. The median value of tPNa was statistically different (p=0.03) between euploid and aneuploid blastocysts (Euploid blastocysts=8.9 hpi; aneuploid blastocysts=10.3 hpi).

Conclusion: The present findings are in line with the study hypothesis that kinetic analysis may reveal associations between cleavage patterns and embryo development to the blastocyst stage and ploidy status.