Prediction of the in vitro developmental competence of early-cleavage-stage human embryos with time-lapse imaging and oxygen consumption rate measurement.

PurposeTo assess an embryo's ability to develop into a good-quality blastocyst during the early-cleavage stage using time-lapse imaging and the oxygen consumption rate. MethodsIn total, 942 zygotes had their oxygen consumption rates measured. In total, 282 zygotes were assessed by using time-lapse imaging. In total, 121 zygotes were examined by using both their oxygen consumption rate and time-lapse imaging. ResultsThe embryos with moderate respiration rates of between 0.41 and 0.61 (x10(14)/mols(-1)) on day 3 had a 22.1% chance of becoming good-quality blastocysts; those outside that range had a 14.3% chance. With the time-lapse system, when the first division was within 24hours, 22.3% of the embryos grew to good blastocysts. After 24hours, the rate dropped to 8.6%. The intervals between two consecutive cleavages were calculated and the duration of the second cell cycle was defined. When the time was between ninehours and 13hours, there was a higher rate of good blastocysts. Regarding both criteria, when the embryos had progressed in the optimal range, a high percentage of them had become good blastocysts; it was 8.0% outside of that range. ConclusionIndividual embryos with the potential to develop into good-quality blastocysts could be selected at day 3 of culture using these systems.