Clin Exp Reprod Med.  2019 Sep;46(3):119-124. 10.5653/cerm.2019.02838.

Correlations between embryo morphokinetic development and maternal age: Results from an intracytoplasmic sperm injection program

• Faramarzi
• Khalili MA
• Mangoli E

• KMID: 2458499
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2019.02838

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
It is widely accepted that aging decreases women's fertility capacity. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between maternal age and the morphokinetic parameters and cleavage pattern of embryos.
METHODS
The morphokinetics of embryos derived from women <30, 30-35, 36-40, and >40 years of age were compared retrospectively in terms of time of second polar body extrusion, time of pronuclei appearance, time of pronuclei fading, and time of two to eight discrete cells (t2-t8). Furthermore, abnormal cleavage patterns such as uneven blastomeres at the two-cell stage, cell fusion (Fu), and trichotomous mitoses (TM) were assessed.
RESULTS
Only t5 occurred later in women aged 36-40 and >40 years when compared with those aged <30 and 30-35 years (p<0.001). Other morphokinetic timing parameters, as well the presence of uneven blastomeres, were comparable between the groups (p>0.05). However, Fu and TM were more common in women aged >40 years than in younger women (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Maternal age was correlated with the cleavage pattern of embryos. Therefore, evaluating embryo morphokinetics may contribute to optimal embryo selection, thereby increasing fertility in patients with advanced maternal age.

Keyword

Cleavage; Human embryo; Maternal age; Morphokinetic

MeSH Terms

Aging
Blastomeres
Cell Fusion
Embryonic Structures*
Female
Fertility
Humans
Maternal Age*
Mitosis
Polar Bodies
Retrospective Studies
Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic*