Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 5, 1062-1069,
May 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Multinucleation in cleavage stage embryos
Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics–Gynaecology–Fertility, Middelheim Hospital, Lindendreef 1, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: eric.van.royen{at}pandora.be
BACKGROUND: The aim was to analyse multinucleation in relation to its incidence in time and in the population, and its correlation with clinical variables, with other morphological characteristics and with the implantation rate of cleavage stage embryos. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 10 388 cleaved embryos from 1395 consecutive IVF/ICSI cycles in 700 patients between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2002. RESULTS: Multinucleation was observed in 3491 (33.6%) embryos in 1107 cycles (79.4%) of 609 (87%) patients, more frequently on day 2 than on day 3: 2848 (27.4%) versus 1567 (15.1%) [relative risk (RR) = 1.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.72–1.92]. Its incidence increased with fragmentation: 31.0, 34.4 and 36.5% for fragmentation 
10%, 10–20% or 20–30%. It was increased in stimulation cycles that were shorter (34.9 versus 32.0%, RR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.03–1.15), required a higher FSH dose (34.6 versus 32.0%, RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.02–1.14) and yielded more oocytes (34.5 versus 29.7%, RR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.08–1.25). Four-cell embryos on day 2 showed minimal multinucleation (16.8%) as well as 8-cell embryos on day 3 (15.5%). Embryos counting both 4 blastomeres on day 2 and 8 on day 3 showed minimal multi nucleation (11.6%). Multinucleated embryos had a decreased implantation rate: 4.3% in single and 5.7% in double embryo transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Multinucleation is a frequently observed phenomenon. It is associated with impaired cleavage and increased fragmentation and is compromising the ongoing implantation rate. Multinucleation should be part of embryo assessment.
Key words: cleavage stage embryos/embryo assessment/fragmentation/implantation rate/multinucleation
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  V. Y. Fujimoto, J. P. Kane, B. Y. Ishida, M. S. Bloom, and R. W. Browne High-density lipoprotein metabolism and the human embryo Hum. Reprod. Update, August 28, 2009; (2009) dmp029v2. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C.G. Vergouw, L.L. Botros, P. Roos, J.W. Lens, R. Schats, P.G.A. Hompes, D.H. Burns, and C.B Lambalk Metabolomic profiling by near-infrared spectroscopy as a tool to assess embryo viability: a novel, non-invasive method for embryo selection Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2008; 23(7): 1499 - 1504. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Ziebe, K. Lundin, R. Janssens, L. Helmgaard, J.-C. Arce, and for the MERIT (Menotrophin vs Recombinant FSH in v Influence of ovarian stimulation with HP-hMG or recombinant FSH on embryo quality parameters in patients undergoing IVF Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2007; 22(9): 2404 - 2413. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Holte, L. Berglund, K. Milton, C. Garello, G. Gennarelli, A. Revelli, and T. Bergh Construction of an evidence-based integrated morphology cleavage embryo score for implantation potential of embryos scored and transferred on day 2 after oocyte retrieval Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2007; 22(2): 548 - 557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Zini, J. Meriano, K. Kader, K. Jarvi, C. A. Laskin, and K. Cadesky Potential adverse effect of sperm DNA damage on embryo quality after ICSI Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2005; 20(12): 3476 - 3480. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-C. Arce, A. Nyboe Andersen, and J. Collins Resolving methodological and clinical issues in the design of efficacy trials in assisted reproductive technologies: a mini-review Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2005; 20(7): 1757 - 1771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Alikani, T. Schimmel, and S. M. Willadsen Cytoplasmic fragmentation in activated eggs occurs in the cytokinetic phase of the cell cycle, in lieu of normal cytokinesis, and in response to cytoskeletal disorder Mol. Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2005; 11(5): 335 - 344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M.R. Gerris Single embryo transfer and IVF/ICSI outcome: a balanced appraisal Hum. Reprod. Update, March 1, 2005; 11(2): 105 - 121. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Hnida, I. Agerholm, and S. Ziebe Traditional detection versus computer-controlled multilevel analysis of nuclear structures from donated human embryos Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2005; 20(3): 665 - 671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. P.A. Van Montfoort, J. C.M. Dumoulin, A. D.M. Kester, and J. L.H. Evers Early cleavage is a valuable addition to existing embryo selection parameters: a study using single embryo transfers Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2004; 19(9): 2103 - 2108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. De Neubourg, J. Gerris, K. Mangelschots, E. Van Royen, M. Vercruyssen, and M. Elseviers Single top quality embryo transfer as a model for prediction of early pregnancy outcome Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2004; 19(6): 1476 - 1479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Levy, K. Elder, and Y. Menezo Cytoplasmic transfer in oocytes: biochemical aspects Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2004; 10(3): 241 - 250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Hnida, E. Engenheiro, and S. Ziebe Computer-controlled, multilevel, morphometric analysis of blastomere size as biomarker of fragmentation and multinuclearity in human embryos Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2004; 19(2): 288 - 293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|