Shuiying Ma

Morphokinetic parameters from a time-lapse monitoring system cannot accurately predict the ploidy of embryos

PurposeThis study aimed to test whether there is an association between embryo morphokinetic parameters and ploidy status.MethodsPatients with high risk of aneuploidy were analyzed by time-lapse microscopy combined with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Accordingly, 256 blastocysts from 75 patients were subjected to trophectoderm biopsy and microarray comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH). Blastocyst development process was analyzed using time-lapse images.ResultsMorphokinetic parameters: tPNf, t2, t3, t4, t5, t8, t9, tcom, tM, tSB, tB, tEB, CC1, CC2, CC3, S2, S3, t5-t2, and tB-tSB showed no significant difference in euploid embryos compared to aneuploid counterparts. In addition, two risk models based on previously published morphokinetic parameters failed to segregate euploid from aneuploid embryos.ConclusionsMorphokinetic parameters subjected to investigation in the present study failed to improve the chance of selecting euploid embryos.

Evaluation of the developmental potential of metaphase I oocytes from stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the developmental potential and clinical application value of metaphase I (MI) oocytes obtained from stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. ICSI was performed on MI oocytes immediately after denudation (Group A), or on in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes following culture; oocytes in culture were further divided into two groups, being cultured for either 3-5 h (Group B) or 24-28 h (Group C). Metaphase II oocytes from the same cycle(s) isolated for ICSI served as the control group (Group D). The rates of normal fertilisation, cleavage and high-quality embryos were compared among the four groups. High-quality embryos were transferred whenever possible, and pregnancy rates were evaluated. Results showed that normal fertilisation rates for Groups B, C and D were significantly higher than that of Group A (68.6%, 57.8%, 74.5% and 30.1%, respectively; P<0.01). The rate of high-quality embryos in Group B was comparable with Group D; the rate for Group C was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P<0.05). Two clinical pregnancies were achieved after transfer of embryos from IVM oocytes. In vitro maturation of MI oocytes for a short period of time may increase the number of available embryos; however, overnight in vitro culture of MI oocytes did not improve results.

Human Fetal Trophonema Matrix and Uterine Endometrium Support Better Human Embryonic Stem Cell Growth and Neural Differentiation than Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts

The concerns over xenogeneic pathogens and immunogenic molecules derived from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) trigger the development of human-derived feeder layers for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) maintenance. It is essential to evaluate the capability of these human feeder layers to retain the stemness and pluripotency of hESCs. In the present study, two Chinese hESC lines, SDU-hESCm-1 and SDU-hESCm-2, were continuously cultured on human adult uterine endometrial cells (hUEC), human fetal trophonema matrix cells (hFTMC), and MEFs for at least two month (up to 10 passages). A side-by-side comparison of the abilities to support: (1) self-renewal of the hESCs, (2) expression of undifferentiated markers, and (3) neural differentiation, was made between the human and mouse feeder layers. We demonstrated that the hESCs maintained on hUEC and hFTMC exhibited significantly higher growth rates and generated higher levels of DNA content than those on MEFs. Under neural differentiation-promoting conditions, greater neural differentiation was found in the hESCs maintained on human than on mouse feeder layers. These results suggest that human feeder layers derived from hUECs and hFTMCs are more efficient in supporting a long-term growth and neural differentiation of hESCs than MEFs.

Comparison of the Developmental Potential and Clinical Results of In Vivo Matured Oocytes Cryopreserved with Different Vitrification Media

Background:Oocyte vitrification is widely used throughout the world, but its clinical efficacy is inconsistent and depends on the vitrification media. This study compared the developmental potential and clinical results of in vivo matured oocytes cryopreserved with different vitrification media. Methods:This retrospective study involved vitrified-warmed oocytes at one in vitro fertilization laboratory. Vitrification media kits comprised the MC kit (ethylene glycol [EG] plus 1,2-propanediol [PROH]), the KT kit (EG plus dimethyl sulphoxide [DMSO]), and the Modified kit (EG plus DMSO and PROH kit). Rates of oocyte survival and subsequent developmental potential were recorded and analyzed. The t-test and the Chi-square test were used to evaluate each methods efficacy. Results:Oocyte survival rate was significantly higher for the Modified kit (92.0%) than for the MC kit (88.2%) (P < 0.05) and the KT kit (77.3%) (P < 0.001). The rate of high-quality embryo development in the Modified kit group (35.8%) was significantly higher than in the MC kit group (29.0%) and the KT kit group (28.3%) (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates among the MC, KT, and Modified kit groups (37.2% vs. 30.2% vs. 39.6%; 21.9% vs. 18.8% vs. 27.4%, respectively) (P > 0.05). The high-quality embryo rate per warmed oocyte was significantly higher (23.4%) in the Modified kit group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). The embryo utilization and live birth rates per warmed oocyte were the highest in the Modified kit group, but not significantly (P > 0.05). Conclusions:Modified vitrification media are efficient for oocyte vitrification and, with further verification, may be able to replace commercially available media in future clinical applications.