Time-lapse embryo imaging

Time-lapse embryo imaging is an emerging non-invasive embryo selection technique used in reproductive biology. It is used to help select embryos with lower risk of defects and/or greater potential of implantation. The procedure involves taking thousands of pictures of the growing embryo in vitro during incubation to study morphology and morphokinetic parameters.[1]

Several centres have reported improved success rates including Nottingham based CARE Fertility Group [2] and Centre for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis based in Denmark.[3] These studies are relatively small however and experts believe that these results are exciting but studies are too small to be definitive.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Montag, M.; Toth, B.; Strowitzki, T. (2013). "New approaches to embryo selection". Reproductive BioMedicine Online. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.05.013.
  2. ↑ Campbell, A.; Fishel, S.; Bowman, N.; Duffy, S.; Sedler, M.; Thornton, S. (2013). "Retrospective analysis of outcomes after IVF using an aneuploidy risk model derived from time-lapse imaging without PGS". Reproductive BioMedicine Online 27 (2): 140–146. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.04.013. PMID 23683847.
  3. ↑ "Time-lapse parameters as predictors of blastocyst... [Hum Reprod. 2013] - PubMed - NCBI". Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  4. ↑ "BBC News - IVF 'may be boosted by time-lapse embryo imaging'". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-10-27.