Email this article Prognostic value of morphokinetic parameters of human donor embryos for assessing chromosomal status: comparative analysis of embryonic development during culture in a TIME-LAPSE incubator
- Authors: Ishchuk M.A.1, Lesik E.A.1, Malysheva O.V.1, Sagurova Y.M.1, Zhiliaeva V.Y.1, Ob’edkova K.V.1, Komarova E.M.1
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Affiliations:
- The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
- Issue: Vol 74, No 5 (2025)
- Pages: 36-47
- Section: Original study articles
- URL: https://journal-vniispk.ru/jowd/article/view/363330
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17816/JOWD690394
- EDN: https://elibrary.ru/IPTFNQ
- ID: 363330
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies, its high cost and limited applicability stimulate the search for non-invasive methods for assessing the chromosomal status of embryos. Morphokinetic parameters of embryonic development recorded using TIME-LAPSE incubators are considered potential prognostic markers of embryo “competence,” but their diagnostic value requires further study, particularly in the context of Russian domestic culture systems.
AIM: The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of morphokinetic parameters of human donor embryos during culture in a TIME-LAPSE embryonic development incubator to identify temporal patterns associated with different chromosomal statuses.
METHODS: This prospective observational study included donor embryos obtained by fertilization of donor oocytes with donor sperm between June 2023 and March 2025. Embryos were cultured in an EmbryoVisor incubator (Westtrade LTD, Russia) with recording of key morphokinetic events: time of pronuclei fading (tPNf); two to nine discrete cells (t2–t9); first evidence of compaction (tSc); morula formation (tM); initiation of blastulation (tSB); full blastocyst formation (tB); and expanded blastocyst formation (tEB). The chromosomal status of the embryos was determined by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) after trophectoderm biopsy. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, and ANOVA tests.
RESULTS: The development of 28 donor embryos was analyzed. Embryos from zygotes with abnormal ploidy (3PN/0PN) demonstrated earlier first divisions (t2–t6, p < 0.05) than from those with normal ploidy (2PN). Euploid embryos reached the morula (tM) and blastocyst (tB) stages faster than aneuploid and mosaic embryos (p = 0.03 and p = 0.037, respectively). Embryos with the 46, XY karyotype had a shorter cc2b interval (p = 0.022) compared to those with the 46, XX karyotype.
CONCLUSION: Morphokinetic parameters, particularly the time of early divisions and first evidence of compaction, are associated with the chromosomal status of embryos. The data obtained may be used to develop non-invasive algorithms for embryo selection.
About the authors
Mariia A. Ishchuk
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Author for correspondence.
Email: mashamazilina@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4443-4287
SPIN-code: 1237-6373
MD
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgElena A. Lesik
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: lesike@yandex.ru
Cand. Sci. (Biology)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgOlga V. Malysheva
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: omal99@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8626-5071
SPIN-code: 1740-2691
Cand. Sci. (Biology)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgYanina M. Sagurova
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: yanina.sagurova96@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4947-8171
SPIN-code: 8908-7033
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg
Valeria Yu. Zhiliaeva
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: lera.zhilyaeva.03@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-2701-0598
SPIN-code: 8861-8743
Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg
Ksenia V. Ob’edkova
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: obedkova_ks@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2056-7907
SPIN-code: 2709-2890
MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgEvgeniia M. Komarova
The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott
Email: evgmkomarova@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9988-9879
SPIN-code: 1056-7821
Cand. Sci. (Biology)
Russian Federation, Saint PetersburgReferences
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