Does the sex of reciprocal translocation carriers influence blastocyst development and biopsy rates?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare differences in blastocyst development and biopsy rates in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) cycles where the translocation carrier was identified as either the female or male partner, in order to assess clinical approaches to improve outcomes.DesignRetrospective Study.Materials and MethodsAnalysis was performed on 110 couples (235 cycles) who underwent a fresh PGD cycle at Genea between 2006 and 2011 to identify embryos with balanced chromosome complements. For 60 couples (132 cycles) the known carrier of the translocation was the female partner and for 50 couples (103 cycles), the carrier was known to be the male partner. Number of oocytes collected, fertilisation rates and blastocyst development on days 5 and/or 6 were assessed for quality based on morphological appearance and suitability for PGD biopsy. Statistical analysis was performed using a Fisher's exact test.ResultsThe day 5/6 blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower for female carriers than for male carriers (female carriers 65%; male carriers 70%) (p=0.01). The percentage of embryos suitable for biopsy was also lower for the female carrier group (35% compared to 40%) (p=0.06). The average female age, number of oocytes collected, fertilization and implantation rates were not significantly different between the male and female carrier groups.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that blastocyst formation rates on day 5/6 of development are significantly lower in cases where the female patient carries the chromosomal translocation. The reduced blastocyst development rate combined with the reduced embryo biopsy rate may ultimately produce a reduction in cumulative implantation rates. This information is useful in developing treatment strategies and managing patient expectations of cycle outcomes. ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare differences in blastocyst development and biopsy rates in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) cycles where the translocation carrier was identified as either the female or male partner, in order to assess clinical approaches to improve outcomes. To evaluate and compare differences in blastocyst development and biopsy rates in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) cycles where the translocation carrier was identified as either the female or male partner, in order to assess clinical approaches to improve outcomes. DesignRetrospective Study. Retrospective Study. Materials and MethodsAnalysis was performed on 110 couples (235 cycles) who underwent a fresh PGD cycle at Genea between 2006 and 2011 to identify embryos with balanced chromosome complements. For 60 couples (132 cycles) the known carrier of the translocation was the female partner and for 50 couples (103 cycles), the carrier was known to be the male partner. Number of oocytes collected, fertilisation rates and blastocyst development on days 5 and/or 6 were assessed for quality based on morphological appearance and suitability for PGD biopsy. Statistical analysis was performed using a Fisher's exact test. Analysis was performed on 110 couples (235 cycles) who underwent a fresh PGD cycle at Genea between 2006 and 2011 to identify embryos with balanced chromosome complements. For 60 couples (132 cycles) the known carrier of the translocation was the female partner and for 50 couples (103 cycles), the carrier was known to be the male partner. Number of oocytes collected, fertilisation rates and blastocyst development on days 5 and/or 6 were assessed for quality based on morphological appearance and suitability for PGD biopsy. Statistical analysis was performed using a Fisher's exact test. ResultsThe day 5/6 blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower for female carriers than for male carriers (female carriers 65%; male carriers 70%) (p=0.01). The percentage of embryos suitable for biopsy was also lower for the female carrier group (35% compared to 40%) (p=0.06). The average female age, number of oocytes collected, fertilization and implantation rates were not significantly different between the male and female carrier groups. The day 5/6 blastocyst formation rate was significantly lower for female carriers than for male carriers (female carriers 65%; male carriers 70%) (p=0.01). The percentage of embryos suitable for biopsy was also lower for the female carrier group (35% compared to 40%) (p=0.06). The average female age, number of oocytes collected, fertilization and implantation rates were not significantly different between the male and female carrier groups. ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that blastocyst formation rates on day 5/6 of development are significantly lower in cases where the female patient carries the chromosomal translocation. The reduced blastocyst development rate combined with the reduced embryo biopsy rate may ultimately produce a reduction in cumulative implantation rates. This information is useful in developing treatment strategies and managing patient expectations of cycle outcomes. The results of this study suggest that blastocyst formation rates on day 5/6 of development are significantly lower in cases where the female patient carries the chromosomal translocation. The reduced blastocyst development rate combined with the reduced embryo biopsy rate may ultimately produce a reduction in cumulative implantation rates. This information is useful in developing treatment strategies and managing patient expectations of cycle outcomes.