The Effect of Artificial Oocyte Activation on Embryomorphokinetic Parameters and Blastulation Time

Abstract Purpose Does artificial oocyte activation (AOA) with calcium ionophore (Cai) application affect embryomorphokinetic parameters and clinical pregnancy outcomes? Methods This retrospective cohort study investigated if AOA with Cai affects the embryomorphokinetic parameters and clinical pregnancy outcomes of 413 patients. A total of 225 patients underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) + AOA and 187 patients underwent only ICSI at Izmir University of Economics between 2018–2020. Results There were no significant differences between groups in terms of baseline parameters. When the duration from 2PN to tb (time to blastulation) was examined, t2, t3, t4, or t5 times were not significantly different between the groups that received and did not receive AOA treatment. Ca ionophore application was found to extend cavitation time and tb (p < 0.05). Optimal time lapse parameters (t5, cc2, S2 and t5-t2) also did not differ between two groups. There were no significant differences between groups according to embryo grades which were determined by optimal time lapse parameters. According to the fertilization and pregnancy results, no significant differences were found between the two groups. Conclusions Ca ionophore application does not seem to affect most of the embryomorphokinetic parameters except blastulation time. The clinical importance of this finding needs further research.