Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Study question What is the influence of the number of blastocysts before biopsy on the prognosis of pregnancy in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles? Summary answer The number of pre-biopsy blastocysts seems to be a parameter that can be used as a prognostic factor for the pregnancy chance in PGT-A cycles. What is known already Advances in embryo cryopreservation techniques have allowed for a greater use of PGT. Studies showed that PGT-A has improved live birth rates while reducing the number of embryos transferred. There is a lot of information about the role of the oocyte number as a predicting factor for pregnancy rate. However, little information is available about the influence of the number of blastocysts before performing PGT-A on the chance of achieving a pregnancy. Study design, size, duration Retrospective study performed in a reproductive medicine center using the first IVF cycle from 2016 to 2023, including 682 patients with at least one blastocyst before undergoing PGT-A. All patients performed a single embryo transfer in each procedure, in up to 4 transfers. Participants/materials, setting, methods The sample was divided into four groups according to the blastocyst number: G1, 1 to 2 blastocysts (n = 324); G2, 3 to 4 (n = 197); G3, 5 to 9 (n = 137); and G4, ≥ 10 blastocysts (n = 24); each group was divided according to female age (≤ 37 and 37) Variables: female age, and euploidy, clinical pregnancy per transfer and cumulative clinical pregnancy rates. Data were compared between groups. Statistical analysis: Chi-square test (Bonferroni correction) and Anova (p 0.05). Main results and the role of chance The results in G1, G2, G3 and G4 were, respectively: female age, yo (40 vs. 38.4 vs. 37.2 vs. 34.7, p 0.01); euploidy rate (34.6 vs. 67.2 vs. 83.2 vs. 100.0, p 0.0001), clinical pregnancy rate per transfer, % (45.5 vs. 58.6 vs. 72.8 vs. 95.8 p 0.0001 ), cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, % (15,7 vs. 39.4 vs. 60.6 vs. 95,8% p 0.0001). Women with 1 to 2 blastocysts before biopsy had a cumulative pregnancy rate more than 3-fold lower than those with 3 to 4 blastocysts (%, 39.6 vs. 15.3, p 0.001, OR 3.59, CI 95% 2.32 to 5.57) and more than 8-fold lower than those with 5 to 9 blastocysts (%, 60,6 vs. 15.3, p 0.001, OR 8.42, CI 95%: 5.20 to 13.64). The comparison in each group according to female age showed that until 9 blastocysts, the younger women had a pregnancy rate higher than the older, respectively (%): G1: 30.8 vs. 12.5, p = 0.001; OR 3.1, CI 95%: 1.44 to 6.48; G2: 57.4 vs. 30.2, p 0.001; OR 3.10, CI 95%: 1.61 to 5.98; G3: 72.6 vs. 50.7, p = 0.009. OR 2.58; IC 95%: 1.19 to 5.67; and G4: 93.8 vs. 87.5, p = 0.268. Limitations, reasons for caution As a retrospective study, data collection and filling limitations should be considered. Wider implications of the findings The number of pre-biopsy blastocysts appears to be a parameter that can be used as a prognostic factor for the pregnancy chance in PGT-A cycles. Even transferring 1 embryo, the pregnancy rate/transfer was higher with more blastocysts. In patients with less than 10 blastocysts before PGT, age influences pregnancy rates. Trial registration number Not Applicable
Badalotti et al. (Mon,) studied this question.