Selecting euploid embryo for transfer by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy improved clinical outcomes in patients with advanced maternal age

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether selecting euploid embryos by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) can improve the clinical outcomes in patients with advanced maternal age. Hence, it provides evidence about the role of PGT-A in the treatment for patients with advanced maternal age in Vietnam.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study, conducted at IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Vietnam, from March 2017 to March 2019. There were 244 patients taking preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A group). Biopsy was performed at the blastocyst stage. On the day of biopsy, about 5-6 trophectoderm cells were collected and sent to analysis, while the remaining was individually vitrified to be used for embryo transfer to the patient. When patients had PGT-A, the clinician consulted and indicated the euploid embryo for frozen embryo transfer cycle. The ongoing pregnancy rate was compared with the group of patients who only performed blastocyst transfer (non-PGT-A group). Other outcomes, such as the average number of transferred embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate, were also compared between the two groups.

Results: In the total of 493 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, there were 244 patients in PGT-A group and 249 patients in non-PGT-A group. The patient characteristics of the two groups were similar (p > 0.05). A total of 816 blastocysts were biopsied and 315 (38.6%) of these were aneuploidy. The ongoing pregnancy rate of PGT-A group was significantly higher than non-PGT-A group (43.9% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.01). Moreover, mean number of transferred embryos and multiple pregnancy rate of PGT-A group was lower than non-PGT-A group (1.3 vs. 2, p < 0.001; 5.7% vs. 12%, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: In patients with advanced maternal age, the transfer of euploidy embryos selected by PGT-A improved the ongoing pregnancy rate and reduced the number of transferred embryos and multiple pregnancy rate. Therefore, this group of patients may benefit from PGT-A.

Introduction

In the modern society, women tend to get married and have children later than the previous generations. Therefore, the number of advanced maternal age (AMA) patients performing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is increasing1. However, women fertility rate is inversely proportional to their age due to impairment of the ovarian reserve2 and increased abnormal oocytes3,4, which leads to the increase in embryonic aneuploidy rate. Aneuploidy is a common genetic abnormality in humans. Studies showed that the majority of embryo aneuploidy had a maternal origin5,6. This rate is higher as a woman gets older, and about 50% of the embryos from IVF treatment are aneuploidy7,8,9. Aneuploidy is the main reason causing implantation failure, early miscarriage, and prolonged time to pregnancy in IVF4. Most of the aneuploidy occurs due to mitotic and meiotic error arisen in the preimplantation embryo stage10. In women over 35 years old, aneuploidy embryos may result in miscarriage, including natural pregnancy and IVF treatment cycles9. Preimplantation genetic testing to detect aneuploidy of embryo is increasingly popular all over the world. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) biopsy approache includes biopsy of polar bodies from the oocyte4,11, biopsy of blastomeres from cleavage-stage embryo, or trophectoderm (TE) cells from blastocyst embryo12,13. However, the biopsy of polar bodies only contains DNA of oocytes (maternal contributions) and does not represent the DNA in the embryonic status. There is evidence showing that the biopsy of blastomere is not only an invasive technique affecting the development and embryonic implantation potential12,14,15, but also logistically difficult and costly16. Nowadays, biopsy of TE cells is currently the most widely used approach accounting for IVF centers17,18,19. TE biopsy intends to remove only 5-6 cells from the trophectoderm. Blastocyst of biopsy is the least invasive technique and does not affect the embryonic development and implantation potential12.

Multiple pregnancies are the primary concern of IVF centers. During the last decades, the common practice of transferring more than one embryo into the uterus was used to increase the clinical pregnancy rate. Although many centers have reduced the number of transferred embryos to decrease multiple pregnancy rate, the twinning rate remains high because double embryo transfer is often performed in their treatment cycle. Many studies have reported that twin pregnancy affects reproductive health and the cost of care for the newborns20,21,22. Therefore, the choice of single embryo transfer with high implantation potential is the goal of most of IVF centers.

PGT-A is the technique to select euploid embryos with the best implantation potential. This technique has been applied to treat patients with an increased risk of having aneuploid embryos, such as those with advanced maternal age1,23, repeated implantation failure24, and recurrent miscarriage25,26,27. Up to date, PGT-A studies remain limited and have not been reported for the clinical outcomes in patients with advanced maternal age in Vietnam. Therefore, more evidence is needed for aneuploidy testing in this group of patients.

The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical outcomes following blastocyst biopsy and frozen euploid embryo transfer by using (PGT-A) for AMA patients in Vietnam.

MATERIALS - METHODS

Patient selection and study design

This is a retrospective cohort study. The data were obtained from 493 women (35 to 45 years old) from March 2017 to March 2019 at IVFMD (My Duc Hospital, Vietnam). This study was approved by the Reproductive Health and the Ethical Board of My Duc Hospital. The individual information was coded to ensure patient privacy. Exclusion criteria were as follows: in-vitro maturation (IVM) cycles, IUI change to ICSI cycles, patients with repeated implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage, and uterine abnormal. Patients were divided into two groups: PGT-A (244 patients) and non-PGT-A (249 patients).

Sperm preparation

Both frozen and fresh semen samples were prepared by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation. This method helped to separate motile spermatozoa from seminal plasma. Two layers were formed with a 40% density top layer and an 80% density lower layer. The centrifugation helped motile spermatozoa swim through the gradient materials to form a soft pellet at the bottom of the tube. After that, the soft pellet was collected and washed to be used for ICSI28.

Ovarian stimulation and Oocyte Retrieval

The ovarian stimulation was carried out with a GnRH Antagonist protocol and ovulation is triggered by hCG or agonist injection. Follicle development was followed by ultrasound, and checked for estradiol and progesterone levels. Oocyte retrieval was done at 36 hours after hCG or agonist injection when at least two follicles reached 14 mm. Upon retrieval, oocyte cumulus complexes were rinsed and cultured in Global Total for Fertilization medium (Life Global – Canada), supplemented with bicarbonate buffer, lactate and pyruvate, at 37^oC, 6% CO₂ and 5% O₂ in the incubator. After that, the denudation of cumulus cells surrounding the oocytes was performed by using hyaluronidase (Origio- Denmark) and mechanical pipetting. Only matured oocytes (Metaphase II) were injected.

Embryo culture

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was performed on the matured oocytes approximately 39 to 41 hours after hCG or agonist injection. Following the fertilization, embryos were placed in the Benchtop (G310, K-system, Denmark) incubator at 37^oC with CO₂ and 5% O₂.

Fertilization and cleavage-stage embryo evaluation

Fertilization analysis was assessed at 16-18 hours after ICSI. On day 3, the cleavage-stage embryos were evaluated base on the number of blastomeres, the size of blastomeres and the embryo fragmentation according to embryo assessment guidelines at IVFMD.

Blastocyst evaluation

The blastocyst was evaluated at 112 to 116 hours (on day 5) after ICSI, according to embryo assessment guidelines at IVFMD (based on Alpha Scoring System, 2011)29. Embryo quality was evaluated by morphology under the inverted microscope (Zeizz, Germany). The evaluation process was based on the degree of expansion, the number of cells and cell compaction of the inner cell mass (ICM), and the trophectoderm of the blastocyst. The high-quality embryos (grade 1 and grade 2) were classified with blastocoel filling greater than half the volume of the embryo, the ICM with tightly packed/ loosely grouped cells and the trophectoderm with cells forming cohesive epithelium or few cells forming lose epithelium (Figure 1a, b). The poor-quality embryos (grade 3) were classified with any other expansion degrees, the ICM with very few cells or degradation, and the trophectoderm with very few large cells or degradation (Figure 1c). The high-quality embryos were prioritized for biopsy, vitrification, or transferring while the poor-quality embryos were not prioritized for biopsy or freeze.

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Figure 1 . Day-5 embryos (20X magnification) . ( a ) Grade 1 ; ( b ) Grade 2; ( c ) Grade 3.

Biopsy of blastocyst

The selection of embryos for biopsy follows the consensus at IVFMD (based on Alpha Scoring System, 2011)29. Biopsy samples contained 5-6 TE cells (Figure 2). The TE cells were washed in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS-Merk, Germany) and then stored in the microcentrifuge tubes containing 2 μl PBS and were genetically analyzed at the genetic analysis laboratory (Tan Son Nhat Hospital, 2 Pho Quang Street, 2 Ward, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh city).

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Figure 2 . Biopsy procedure (20X magnification).

Embryo freezing, warming and transfer

After blastocyst biopsy, the embryo was frozen using Kuwayama protocol30 with Vitrification kit (Cryotech, Japan), and was individually loaded onto carrier tool based on IVFMD’s laboratory routine standardization. When genetic testing results were available, only the euploid embryo was chosen for transfer in the first of the frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. The embryo was thawed and morphology was assessed, hatching was assisted, and embryo was transferred with a specialized catheter under ultrasonographic guidance. After the thawing procedure, the thawed embryo morphology was assessed before it was transferred to patients. If the embryo showed degradation cells, it depended on the number of degrading cells; we decided to transfer this embryo or announced the patient to thaw another embryo. In this study, all thawed embryo could be transferred to the patient without having to thaw another. In FET cycle, the patients were transferred with one or two embryos, which is dependent on the patient’s decision.

Clinical outcome assessment

The primary outcome was the ongoing pregnancy rate in the first frozen embryo transfer cycle of both groups. The ongoing pregnancy rate was defined as the percentage of embryos transferred that produced an implanted embryo and had the embryocardia under ultrasound up to week 12 of pregnancy31. The ongoing pregnancy rate was compared with the group of patients who only performed blastocyst transfer (non-PGT-A group). Other outcomes, such as the average number of transferred embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate were also compared between the two groups.

Statistical analysis

The baseline characteristics of the study population were described by descriptive statistics. For the study outcomes, histogram and Shapiro test were used to check for normal distribution and continuous variables. If the variables have a normal distribution, the data were presented as mean, standard deviation and compared by a Student t-test. If the variables were not normally distributed, the data were presented as median and quartile, non-parametric tests were used to check for differences between groups. For the category, we used percentages between the two branches and compared them with Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test if they were appropriate. All tests were two-tailed tests, p-values of less than 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered as statistically significant. Values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD).

Table 1.

The baseline characteristics and ovarian stimulation results

	PGT-A (N=244)	non-PGT-A (N=249)	P-value
The baseline characteristics
Age (years)	38.1 ± 2.7	38.4 ± 0.6	0.128
BMI (kg/m2)	21.7 ± 2.3	21.8 ± 2.6	0.657
AMH level (ng/ml)	4.1 ± 3.0	4.0 ± 3.1	0.593
Duration of infertility (years)	6.0 ± 4.2	6.5 ± 4.4	0.168
Estradiol level on hCG day (pmol/L)	8985.3 ± 10861.7	7126.4 ± 6253.9	0.03
Progesterone level on hCG day (pmol/L)	1.8 ± 4.1	1.6 ± 3.5	0.633
Total days of stimulation (days)	8.9 ± 1.3	15.8 ± 113.8	0.34
Total of FSH dose (IU)	2476.6 ± 533.6	2379.6 ± 692.6	0.088

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics and ovarian stimulation results were showed in Table 1. Overall baseline characteristics and ovarian stimulation data including age, BMI, AMH level, duration of infertility, days of stimulation and total FSH were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Since the primary patient's characteristics were similar between two groups (Table 1), the consequent outcomes would be more objectivity and reliability.

The total of 493 patients underwent this study. There was a total of 7614 retrieved oocytes with 6258 mature oocytes, which were performed ICSI. The number of fertilized oocytes were 5344, with fertilization rate reached 85.4%. A total of 3017 blastocysts with blastocyst rate reached 48.1%. The detailed parameters of each group were showed in Table 2.

Table 2.

Embyonic outcome data

	PGT-A (N=244)	non-PGT-A (N=249)	P - value
Number of retrieved oocytes	16.0 ± 8.3	14.9 ± 4.5	0.061
Number of MII oocytes	13.4 ± 7.1	12.0 ± 4.1	0.008
Number of fertilized oocytes	11.8 ± 6.1	9.9 ± 3.7	< 0.001
2PN rate	78.1 ± 20.0	74.3 ± 19.1	0.03
Blastocyst rate	48.1 ± 24.1	55.5 ± 20.3	< 0.001
Number of blastocyst	6.0 ± 4.1	6.6 ± 3.2	0.108
Number of good quality blastocyst	3.0 ± 2.8	4.2 ± 2.8	< 0.001
Number of blastocyst for PGT-A	3.4 ± 1.9	-	-

PGT-A group showed a similar average number of retrieved oocytes (16.0 ± 8.3 vs. 14.9 ± 4.5 oocytes, p = 0.61) as compared to non-PGT-A group. PGT-A group showed higher average number of MII oocytes (13.4 ± 7.1 vs. 12.0 ± 4.1 oocytes, p = 0.008), fertilized oocytes (11.8 ± 6.1 vs. 9.9 ± 3.7 oocytes, p < 0.001) and 2PN rate (78.1 ± 20.0 vs. 74.3 ± 19.1%, p = 0.03) compared to non-PGT-A group. However, the blastocyst rate and number of good quality blastocyst embryos in the PGT-A group were lower than the non-PGT-A group (48.1 ± 24.1 vs. 55.5 ± 20.3%, p < 0.001; 3.0 ± 2.8 vs. 4.2 ± 2.8 embryos, p < 0.001, respectively), while two groups showed no statistically significant differences in the average number of blastocyst embryos (6.0 ± 4.1 vs. 6.6 ± 3.2 embryos, p = 0.108).

In PGT-A group, the mean of biopsy blastocyst was 3.4 ± 1.9 blastocyst embryos. From all patients, a total of 816 blastocyst embryos were biopsied and genetically analyzed. The euploid embryos had the highest rate (59.9%), followed by aneuploid embryo rate (38.6%), and finally mosaic embryo rate (1.5%). In the group of the aneuploid embryo (489 embryos), there were 73 complex embryos (23.2%), 92 trisomy embryos (29.2%), 100 monosomy embryos (31.7%) and 50 structurally abnormal embryos (15.9%). These results showed that the percentage of the aneuploid embryo was higher in AMA patients, approximately accounting for half of biopsied embryo (Table 3 ).

Table 3.

Genetic testing results of the patients (N= 816 embryos)

	PGT-A (N=816)
Euploidy - n (%)	489 (59.9)
Mosaic - n (%)	12 (1.5)
Aneuploidy - n (%)	315 (38.6)
Complexs	73 (23.2)
Trisomy	92 (29.2)
Monosomy	100 (31.7)
Structural abnormality	50 (15.9)

Table 4.

Clinical outcome data

Parameters	PGT-A (N=244)	non-PGT-A (N=249)	P - value
Number of embryo transferred	1.3 ± 0.4	2.0 ± 0.4	< 0.001
-hCG positive rate	61.5%	43.0%	< 0.001
Clinical pregnancy rate	54.9%	38.6%	< 0.001
Multiple pregnancy rate	5.7%	12.0%	< 0.001
Implantation rate	49.3%	40.2%	< 0.001
Miscarriage rate	11.1%	6.4%	0.096
Ongoing pregnancy rate	43.9%	32.1%	0.01
Live birth rate	38.5%	30.9%	0.093
Birth Weight (gram) – (sd)	2918 ± 538	3027 ± 621	0.082

The ongoing pregnancy rate of PGT-A group was significantly higher than the non-PGTA group (43.9% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.01). The PGT-A group also showed higher average number of the -hCG positive rate, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate than non-PGT-A group (61.5% vs. 43.0%, 49.3% vs. 40.2%, 54.49% vs. 38.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, the mean number of embryos transferred and the multiple pregnancy rate in the PGT-A group was significantly lower than the non-PGT-A group (1.3 vs. 2.0 embryos, 5.7% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the miscarriage rate between the two groups (11.1% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.096). The live birth rate of PGT-A group was higher than non-PGT-A but not statistically different (38.5% vs. 30.9%, p = 0.093). The result showed that the birth weight was similar between the two groups (2918 g vs. 3027 g, p= 0.082) (Table 4 ).

DISCUSSION

The goal of the PGT-A was to select single euploid embryo to transfer to IVF patients to increase the chance of pregnancy and having a healthy baby. The aneuploidy rate was increased in patients, who took IVF treatment at advanced maternal age9,32,33. The probability of successful development and implantation at the early stage of the embryo depends on the genetic status. Subsequent errors in the genetic of the embryos can lead to embryonic mortality. Aneuploidy (monosomy and trisomy) is the most common type of abnormal chromosome in humans. The aneuploid embryos could not develop in the uterus after they were transferred; therefore, the frozen embryo transfer cycle using these aneuploid embryos would significantly decrease the pregnancy rate of the patients.

For this reason, euploidy embryo selection for transfer can improve implantation rate as well as the ongoing pregnancy rate of advanced maternal age. The study of Minasi (2016) showed that mean maternal age in the euploidy was younger than aneuploidy group34. Moreover, this research was that emphasized the aneuploidy rate rises approximately 10% per year of female age. Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate technique for identifying euploidy without reducing the embryo implantation potential.

Our research compared the clinical outcomes between AMA patients with or without transferring the euploid embryo selected by PGT-A. The ongoing pregnancy rate of PGT-A group was significantly higher than non-PGT-A group (43.9% vs. 32.1%, p=0.01). Moreover, the mean number of embryos transferred and the multiple pregnancy rate of the PGT-A group was lower than non-PGT-A group (1.3 vs. 2.0 embryos, p<0.001; 5.7% vs. 12%, p<0.001, respectively).

A multicenter, randomized clinical trial by Rubio et al., 2017 assessed clinical outcomes in advanced maternal age between 38 and 41 years with euploidy transferred showed that the miscarriage rate of PGT-A group exhibited significantly lower than the control group (2.7% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001). The pregnancy rate at the first transfer attempt was higher (52.9% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.001), lower the number of transferred embryos (1.3 vs. 1.8, p < 0.0001) and the time to achieve a live birth of PGT-A group were also lower compared to the non PGT-A group (7.7 weeks vs. 14.9 weeks)1.

Similar to our results, the study of Schoolcraft vs. Katz-Jaffe (2013) determined that the ongoing pregnancy rate of the euploid blastocyst transferred group was higher than the control group (60.0% vs. 43.8%, p< 0.05)6. The report of Harton (2013) indicated that the implantation rate and the ongoing pregnancy rate were constant in patients of 35 to 42 years old, who performed PGT-A and single euploid embryo transfer35. Recently, a publication of Taiwanese researchers showed that the AMA patients with ICSI/ PGT-A and the euploidy transfer had significantly higher live birth rate than non-PGT-A group23.

Chang et al. (2019) compared the women who underwent PGT-A with a single euploid frozen embryo transfer group versus the women who underwent a multiple unscreened embryo transfer of fresh embryo cycles in women ≥ 43 years. This study outcomes showed that the study group had significantly higher implantation rate (56.9% vs. 13.8%, OR 8.9 [95% CI 4.9-16.3]) and ongoing pregnancy rate (50.0% vs. 6.9%, OR 14.3 [95% CI 7.3-28.0]), and lower early miscarriage pregnancy rate (18.3% vs. 46.2%, OR 0.25, [95% CI 0.11-0.57]) and clinical miscarriage pregnancy rate (12.1% vs. 50.0%, OR 0.16 [95% CI 0.06-0.47]), compared to control group36.

Another study of Verpoest W (2018) demonstrated that live birth rate between PGT-A and non-PGT-A groups were similar (24%; 95% CI: -7.60- 9.18%), while the PGT-A group have lower miscarriage rate than the control group. However, the sample size of PGT-A group was small, thus, the number of euploidy transferred in PGT-A group was higher (41% double embryo transfer) leading to high multiple pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate3.

Besides, Shelby A. Neal (2018) compared the cost- effective and clinical outcomes of patients with or without PGT-A37. Comparing the cost-effective outcomes on patient’s age, excluded patients who have only one blastocyst, the patients > 37 years of age saved more treatment cost than patients < 35 years of age. Furthermore, this study showed that the cumulative live births of PGT-A and control groups were identical but PGT-A reduced the time in treatments up to four months, and decreased the risk of embryo transfer failure and pregnancy loss37.

The limitation of our study is that it was a retrospective cohort study, in which we did not actively select samples for the study. We collected data on treated outcomes of the patient in IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Vietnam from March 2017 to March 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

The transfer of euploid embryo improved the clinical outcomes of advanced maternal age. Specifically, our study showed that the euploid embryo selection by PGT-A increased clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and decreased multiple pregnancy rate due to the reduced number of embryo transfers. Therefore, PGT-A can be consulted to women with advanced maternal age, who carried out IVF at My Duc Hospital. However, this was a retrospective study, a better well-designed study with a more considerable sample size needs to be considered in the future.

ABBREVIATIONS

PGT-A: Preimplantation Genetic Testing- Aneuploidy

IVF: In- vitro fertilization

ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

BMI: Body mass index

AMH: Antimuller hormone

FSH: Follical stimulating hormone

IVM: In-vitro Maturation

IUI: Intrauterine insemination

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that they have not conflicted of interests.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

LTBP wrote the manuscript. VNT and LHA revised the manuscript. DQV planned and designed the experiments. PTQ collected and analysed the data. NTTH supervised the study and finalized the manuscript. All authors read and confirmed the publication of the article.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was performed at IVFMD-My Duc Hospital and IVFMD PN-My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital. The authors acknowledge Directors to support the data and devices for this study. We are also thankful to our colleague from IVFMD PN who positively assisted in completing this study.