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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Morphometric analysis and developmental comparison of embryos from carriers with balanced chromosomal rearrangements in preimplantation genetic diagnosis cycles

Baoheng Gui A , Zhongyuan Yao A , Yanru Huang A , Libin Mei A , Yanping Li B , Donge Liu B , Nenghui Liu B , Yan Xia A , Desheng Liang A and Lingqian Wu A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics of China, Central South University, No. 110, Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, P. R. China.

B The Reproductive Medical Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, P. R. China.

C Corresponding author. Email: wulingqian@sklmg.edu.cn

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 28(12) 1953-1963 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD15093
Submitted: 9 March 2015  Accepted: 28 May 2015   Published: 29 June 2015

Abstract

The morphological parameters of embryos from 22 carriers with balanced chromosomal rearrangements (CRs) were quantified and evaluated to determine their possible link to chromosomal composition. The morphometric characteristics of 168 embryos diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation were measured using an imaging tool and then analysed retrospectively. The mean zygotic diameter of normal–balanced embryos was significantly smaller compared with that of abnormal embryos (P = 0.015). In addition, the reduction in total cytoplasmic volume for Day-3 embryos was significantly lower in normal or balanced embryos than in abnormal embryos (P = 0.027). Moreover, the pronuclear volumes of embryos that failed to reach the blastocyst stage were significantly smaller compared with those of blastocysts (P = 0.016). These findings indicate that morphometric characteristics are correlated with developmental outcomes as well as with chromosomal composition in embryos from balanced CR carriers. However, an effective indicator of developmental outcomes may not accurately reflect chromosomal composition. Combining morphometric and traditional qualitative assessment may increase the precision and standardisation of embryo evaluation as well as contributing to improved efficiency of preimplantation genetic diagnosis by selecting embryos with high developmental potential and preferentially testing embryos predicted to have a low risk of chromosomal imbalance.

Additional keywords: chromosomal imbalance, diameter, embryo assessment, embryo development, volume.


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