Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Live births resulting from 0PN-derived embryos in conventional IVF cycles

  • Assisted Reproduction Technologies
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the incidence of embryos derived from “unfertilized oocytes” i.e., oocytes not displaying pronuclei (0PN) at the time of the fertilization check and (2) determine the clinical pregnancy rates when transferring 0PN-derived embryos.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 4424 IVF-ET cycles were reviewed.

Results

In total, 11.3 % (4966/43,949) 0PN-derived embryos were observed. It was found that female age, number of oocytes, and the top-quality embryo rate were significantly correlated with 0PN-derived embryo occurrence. The source of embryos transferred did not impact significantly on clinical pregnancy and live-birth rates. Of the 183 cycles included in this study where 275 0PN-derived embryos were transferred in total, only 0PN-derived embryos were available in 70 of those cycles. It was noteworthy that 13 healthy infants resulted from 0PN-derived embryos with an implantation rate of 17.0 %.

Conclusion

These results indicate that the traditional method of excluding embryos because of those oocytes originally lacking any sign of a pronucleus at the fertilization check should be re-considered as transferring 0PN-derived embryos with subsequent expected developmental performance may be considered as an option for those patients where no other embryos are available.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Staessen C et al. Cytogenetic and morphological observations of single pronucleated human oocytes after in-vitro fertilization. Hum Reprod. 1993;8(2):221–3.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Gras L, Trounson AO. Pregnancy and birth resulting from transfer of a blastocyst observed to have one pronucleus at the time of examination for fertilization. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(7):1869–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Feenan K, Herbert M. Can ‘abnormally’ fertilized zygotes give rise to viable embryos? Hum Fertil (Camb). 2006;9(3):157–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Aoi YT, Saitou H, Takiue C, Kawakami N, Tone M, Hirata R, et al. Development potential and clinical implication of embryos having either one pronucleus, (1PN) or no pronuclei (0PN). Hum Reprod. 2010;25(20100600):i184–5.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lee C, Yap WY, Low SY, Lim YX. Euploidy rates for day 3 apronuclear (0PN) and unipronuclear (1PN) embryos. Reprod BioMed Online. 2013;26:S36.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Manor D et al. Undocumented embryos: do not trash them, FISH them. Hum Reprod. 1996;11(11):2502–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Burney RO et al. Normal pregnancy resulting from a non-pronuclear oocyte at the time of examination for fertilization. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2008;35(3):170–1.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang XL et al. Outcomes of day 3 embryo transfer with vitrification using Cryoleaf: a 3-year follow-up study. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2012;29(9):883–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Reichman DE, Jackson KV, Racowsky C. Incidence and development of zygotes exhibiting abnormal pronuclear disposition after identification of two pronuclei at the fertilization check. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(3):965–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Huguet E et al. Time-lapse technology provides relevant information about one pronucleus zygotes (1PNZ) observed with conventional microscopy in the decision-making process. Fertil Steril. 2013;100(3):S237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fancsovits P et al. Early pronuclear breakdown is a good indicator of embryo quality and viability. Fertil Steril. 2005;84(4):881–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Munne S, Cohen J. Chromosome abnormalities in human embryos. Hum Reprod Update. 1998;4(6):842–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen C, Kattera S. Rescue ICSI of oocytes that failed to extrude the second polar body 6 h post-insemination in conventional IVF. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(10):2118–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Callan VJ, Hennessey JF. Emotional aspects and support in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programs. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf. 1988;5(5):290–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Noyes N et al. Embryo biopsy: the fate of abnormal pronuclear embryos. Reprod Biomed Online. 2008;17(6):782–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Werlin L. Are embryos normal obtained from second-day intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), single pronucleus (1PN), or cleaved embryos from no pronuclei (0PN) initially seen? Fertil Steril. 2007;87(0015–0282):s11–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gianaroli L et al. Pronuclear morphology and chromosomal abnormalities as scoring criteria for embryo selection. Fertil Steril. 2003;80(2):341–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Edirisinghe WR, Murch AR, Yovich JL. Cytogenetic analysis of human oocytes and embryos in an in-vitro fertilization programme. Hum Reprod. 1992;7(2):230–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ciray HN et al. Time-lapse evaluation of human embryo development in single versus sequential culture media—a sibling oocyte study. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2012;29(9):891–900.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Rienzi L et al. Significance of morphological attributes of the early embryo. Reprod Biomed Online. 2005;10(5):669–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Ming L, L.J.S., Ping Z, Jie Q, Ping L. Evaluate the outcome of embryo transfers just from 0PN oocyte in 101 fresh IVF-ET cycles. Chin J Clin Obstet Qynecol. 2013;14(5): 427–9.

  22. Kondoh E et al. Stress affects uterine receptivity through an ovarian-independent pathway. Hum Reprod. 2009;24(4):945–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Tim Dineen and Dr. Julie O’Callaghan, members of Cork Fertility Centre, for their assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medicine Center, The third affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou, China

    Jing Liu, Xing Ling Wang, Chun Yan Shen & Zhan Zhang

  2. Cork Fertility Centre, Fernhurst House, College Road, Cork, Ireland

    Xiao Zhang

Authors
  1. Jing Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xing Ling Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chun Yan Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhan Zhang.

Additional information

Capsule

Zygotes not demonstrating PN at fertilization check are capable of generating term pregnancies.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, J., Wang, X.L., Zhang, X. et al. Live births resulting from 0PN-derived embryos in conventional IVF cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet 33, 373–378 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0644-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0644-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation