Can embryo morphokinetic parameters predict euploid pregnancy loss?

Objective: To use time-lapse imaging to compare embryo morphokinetic parameters between embryos resulting in euploid pregnancy loss and euploid embryos resulting in live birth.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single academic fertility center.

Patient(s): All euploid single embryo transfers between October 2015 and January 2018.

Intervention(s): Collection and analysis of baseline characteristics, cycle parameters, and outcomes.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Embryo morphokinetic measurements assessed with time-lapse imaging for time to syngamy (TPNf), time to two cells, time to three cells, time to four cells, time to eight cells, time to morula, and time to blastocyst.

Result(s): The study included 192 euploid single-embryo transfers. Of these, the pregnancy rate was 78% (150 of 193) and the live-birth rate was 63% (121 of 193). There were 43 transfers that did not result in pregnancy, 15 biochemical pregnancy losses, 13 clinical losses, and 121 live births. There was no statistically significant difference in age, body mass index, or number of oocytes retrieved between the groups. Unadjusted and adjusted models revealed no differences in the morphokinetics of embryos resulting in euploid miscarriage compared with those resulting in live birth.

Conclusion(s): Embryos that resulted in a euploid miscarriage did not display evidence of abnormal morphokinetics on time-lapse imaging. Euploid pregnancy loss is likely multifactorial, including both embryo and endometrial factors. Further research is needed to identify factors that can predict and prevent euploid loss.