Faculty Bibliography

The objective of this review is to provide an update on planned oocyte cryopreservation. This fertility preservation method increases reproductive autonomy by allowing women to postpone childbearing whilst maintaining the option of having a biological child. Oocyte cryopreservation is no longer considered experimental, and its use has increased dramatically in recent years as more women delay childbearing for personal, professional and financial reasons. Despite increased usage, most patients who have undergone oocyte cryopreservation have not yet warmed their oocytes. Most women who cryopreserve oocytes wait years to use them, and many never use them. Studies have demonstrated that oocyte cryopreservation results in live birth rates comparable with IVF treatment using fresh oocytes, and does not pose additional safety risks to offspring. Based on current evidence, cryopreserving ≥20 mature oocytes at <38 years of age provides a 70% chance of one live birth. However, larger studies from a variety of geographic locations and centre types are needed to confirm these findings. Additional research is also needed to determine the recommended age for oocyte cryopreservation, recommended number of oocytes to cryopreserve, return and discard/non-use rates, cost-effectiveness, and how best to distribute accurate and up-to-date information to potential patients.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Our aim was to describe the reproductive decisions and outcomes of BRCA-positive patients who used preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M). METHODS:We performed a retrospective case series of all PGT-M cycles for BRCA variants between 2010-2021 at a large urban academic fertility center. All patients who underwent ≥ 1 cycle of IVF with PGT-M for BRCA1 or BRCA2 were included. The primary outcome was total number of BRCA-negative euploid embryos per patient. RESULTS:Sixty four patients underwent PGT-M for BRCA variants. Forty-five percent (29/64) were BRCA1-positive females, 27% (17/64) were BRCA2-positive females, 16% (10/64) were BRCA1-positive males, 11% (7/64) were BRCA2-positive males, and one was a BRCA1 and BRCA2-positive male. There were 125 retrieval cycles with PGT-M, and all cycles included PGT for aneuploidy (PGT-A). Eighty-six percent (55/64) of patients obtained at least one BRCA- negative euploid embryo, with median of 1 (range 0-10) BRCA-negative euploid embryo resulted per cycle and median 3 (range 0-10) BRCA-negative euploid embryos accumulated per patient after a median of 2 (range 1-7) oocyte retrievals. Sixty-four percent (41/64) of patients attempted at least one frozen embryo transfer (FET) with a total of 68 FET cycles. Fifty-nine percent (40/68) of embryos transferred resulted in live births. Subgroup analysis revealed different reproductive pathways for BRCA1-positive females, BRCA2-positive females, and BRCA1/2-positive males (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:PGT-M is a viable option for BRCA-positive patients to avoid transmission while building their families. Most patients in our cohort achieved pregnancy with BRCA-negative euploid embryos.

OBJECTIVE:To determine how often a noneuploid result from a single trophectoderm (TE) biopsy tested with the next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is concordant with rebiopsies tested with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array-based PGT-A platform. DESIGN/METHODS:Blinded prospective cohort study. SETTING/METHODS:University-affiliated fertility center. PATIENT(S)/METHODS:One hundred blastocysts were chosen from donated samples; on TE biopsy with NGS-based PGT-A, 40 had at least one whole chromosome full copy number aneuploidy alone, 20 had a single whole chromosome intermediate copy number ("whole chromosome mosaic"), 20 had a single full segmental aneuploidy (segA), and 20 had a single segmental intermediate copy number ("segmental mosaic"). INTERVENTIONS/METHODS:Four rebiopsies were collected from each embryo: 3 TE biopsies and the remaining embryo. Each rebiopsy was randomized, blinded, and assessed with an SNP array-based PGT-A platform that combines copy number and allele ratio analyses, without mosaicism reporting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)/METHODS:Concordance between the NGS result and rebiopsy results and within each embryo's blinded rebiopsy results. RESULT(S)/RESULTS:Next-generation sequencing-diagnosed whole chromosome aneuploidy (WCA) was reconfirmed in 95% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83%-99%) of embryos; 2 embryos with NGS-diagnosed WCA were called euploid on all conclusive rebiopsies. Among embryos with NGS-diagnosed whole chromosome mosaicism, 35% (95% CI, 15%-59%) were called euploid and 15% (95% CI, 3%-38%) were called whole chromosome aneuploid on all conclusive rebiopsies. A total of 30% (95% CI, 12%-54%) of embryos with NGS-diagnosed segA and 65% (95% CI, 41%-85%) of embryos with NGS-diagnosed segmental mosaicism were called euploid on all conclusive rebiopsies. In total, 13% (95% CI, 6%-25%) of embryos with NGS-diagnosed full copy number aneuploidy and 50% (95% CI, 34%-66%) of embryos with NGS-diagnosed mosaicism had uniformly euploid SNP results. Conversely, all embryos with at least one noneuploid SNP result (n = 72) either had SNP-diagnosed aneuploidy on another rebiopsy from the same embryo or NGS-diagnosed aneuploidy/mosaicism involving the same chromosome. CONCLUSION(S)/CONCLUSIONS:Next-generation sequencing-diagnosed WCA is highly concordant with rebiopsies tested with an SNP array-based PGT-A; however, whole chromosome mosaicism, segA, and segmental mosaicism are less concordant, reinforcing that embryos with these results may have reproductive potential and be suitable for transfer.

The telomere length of human blastocysts exceeds that of oocytes and telomerase activity increases after zygotic activation, peaking at the blastocyst stage. Yet, it is unknown whether aneuploid human embryos at the blastocyst stage exhibit a different profile of telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity compared to euploid embryos. In present study, 154 cryopreserved human blastocysts, donated by consenting patients, were thawed and assayed for telomere length, telomerase gene expression, and telomerase activity using real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Aneuploid blastocysts showed longer telomeres, higher telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA expression, and lower telomerase activity compared to euploid blastocysts. The TERT protein was found in all tested embryos via IF staining with anti-hTERT antibody, regardless of ploidy status. Moreover, telomere length or telomerase gene expression did not differ in aneuploid blastocysts between chromosomal gain or loss. Our data demonstrate that telomerase is activated and telomeres are maintained in all human blastocyst stage embryos. The robust telomerase gene expression and telomere maintenance, even in aneuploid human blastocysts, may explain why extended in vitro culture alone is insufficient to cull out aneuploid embryos during in vitro fertilization.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of standardized preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) using artificial intelligence (AI) in patients undergoing single thawed euploid embryo transfer (STEET) cycles. METHODS:Technology Platform, AI 1.0). The second group included embryos analyzed by AI 1.0 and SNP analysis (PGTai2.0, AI 2.0). Primary outcomes included rates of euploidy, aneuploidy and simple mosaicism. Secondary outcomes included rates of implantation (IR), clinical pregnancy (CPR), biochemical pregnancy (BPR), spontaneous abortion (SABR) and ongoing pregnancy and/or live birth (OP/LBR). RESULTS:A total of 24,908 embryos were analyzed, and classification rates using AI platforms were compared to subjective NGS. Overall, those tested via AI 1.0 showed a significantly increased euploidy rate (36.6% vs. 28.9%), decreased simple mosaicism rate (11.3% vs. 14.0%) and decreased aneuploidy rate (52.1% vs. 57.0%). Overall, those tested via AI 2.0 showed a significantly increased euploidy rate (35.0% vs. 28.9%) and decreased simple mosaicism rate (10.1% vs. 14.0%). Aneuploidy rate was insignificantly decreased when comparing AI 2.0 to NGS (54.8% vs. 57.0%). A total of 1,174 euploid embryos were transferred. The OP/LBR was significantly higher in the AI 2.0 group (70.3% vs. 61.7%). The BPR was significantly lower in the AI 2.0 group (4.6% vs. 11.8%). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Standardized PGT-A via AI significantly increases euploidy classification rates and OP/LBR, and decreases BPR when compared to standard NGS.

The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of using serum gonadotropin levels to predict optimal luteinizing hormone (LH) response to gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger. A retrospective cohort study was performed of all GnRH-antagonist controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles at an academic fertility center from 2017-2020. Cycles that utilized GnRHa alone or in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for trigger were included. Patient and cycle characteristics were collected from the electronic medical record. Optimal LH response was defined as a serum LH ≥ 40 mIU/mL on the morning after trigger. Total sample size was 3865 antagonist COH cycles, of which 91% had an optimal response to GnRHa trigger. Baseline FSH (B-FSH) and earliest in-cycle LH (EIC-LH) were significantly higher in those with optimal response. Multivariable logistic regression affirmed association of optimal response with EIC-LH, total gonadotropin dosage, age, BMI and Asian race. There was no difference in the number of oocytes retrieved (p = 0.14), maturity rate (p = 0.40) or fertilization rates (p = 0.49) based on LH response. There was no difference in LH response based on use of combination vs. GnRHa alone trigger (p = 0.21) or GnRHa trigger dose (p = 0.46). The EIC-LH was more predictive of LH trigger response than B-FSH (p < 0.005).The optimal B-FSH and EIC-LH values to yield an optimal LH response was ≥ 5.5 mIU/mL and ≥ 1.62 mIU/mL, respectively. In an era of personalized medicine, utilizing cycle and patient characteristics, such as early gonadotropin levels, may improve cycle outcomes and provide further individualized care.

Objective: Planned OC is increasing; yet, there is a lack of thaw data to provide an accurate estimate of CLBR.¹ We reviewed our AO thaws to determine CLBR by age and #AOs.
Material(s) and Method(s): We reviewed AO thaws at our academic center from 2004-2021. Inclusion criteria: 1) >=1 live birth (LB)/ongoing pregnancy (OP) >12 weeks, or 2) all AOs + embryos from OC consumed. Exclusion criteria: 1) OC for a medical reason, as research, due to lack of sperm or a natural disaster, combined with embryos or for gestational carrier use, or 2) AOs/embryos from OC transported out before a LB. Primary outcome was CLBR (LB + OP). Patients (pts) were stratified by age and #AOs or metaphase II oocytes (M2s) thawed. If pts had >=1 OC cycle, we calculated a weighted age: [SIGMA (#AOs thawed x age at OC)] / [#AOs thawed]. Statistics included multiple logistic regression (MLR), Fischer's exact test, and chi-squared test (p<0.05 significant).
Result(s): 548 pts (median age at OC 38y, range 28-45y; 151 weighted ages used) underwent 767 OC (location: 90% our center, 9% elsewhere, 2% both; method: 77% vitrification, 4% slow cooling, 19% both), 604 thaw and 465 transfer cycles. 40% (n=218) of pts had >=1 LB/OP, resulting in 221 babies + 30 OPs. See table for CLBRs. In pts of all ages and <38y, CLBR increased as #AO/M2s thawed increased from 0-10 to 11-20 to >20 (p<0.03). In pts 38-39y, CLBR was lower if 0-10 vs. 11-20 or >20 AOs were thawed (p<0.01), but was similar if 11-20 vs. >20 AOs (p=0.34) or M2s (p=0.13) were thawed. In pts >=40y, CLBR did not differ based on #AOs (p=0.81) or M2s thawed (p=0.17). For pts with any # or >20 AO/M2s thawed, CLBR was higher in pts <38y and 38-39y vs. pts >=40y (p<0.04). In a MLR model adjusting for effect of age on #AOs, age and age-independent #AOs were predictive of LB.
Conclusion(s): CLBR increases as more AO/M2s are thawed. OC at <38y has a CLBR of ~50%, a reasonable rate in younger pts at an ideal age for OC. Impact Statement: Pts who freeze >20 AOs at <38y can expect >=70% CLBR based on actual outcomes. This is the largest report to date of AO thaw outcomes from a single U.S. center. [Formula presented] REFERENCES:: 1 Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Evidence-based outcomes after oocyte cryopreservation for donor oocyte in vitro fertilization and planned oocyte cryopreservation: a guideline. Fertil Steril. 2021 Jul;116(1):36-47.
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Objective: E2P is a technique for IVF protocols in poor responders to reduce cycle cancelation due to elevated FSH as well as increase stimulation response. Yet data is inconsistent on the impact on clinical pregnancy rates.¹ We sought to evaluate if E2P increases euploidy rates in IVF with PGTA.
Material(s) and Method(s): This is a retrospective cohort study of IVF cycles with PGTA from 3/2020-12/2021 at a single academic fertility center. E2P cycles were compared to age and AMH matched controls (CON) (1:2 ratio). The primary outcome was number of euploid embryos. Secondary outcomes were cycle start follicle stimulation hormone level (FSH), total gonadotrophin (GND) dose, number oocytes, mature oocytes (MII), fertilization rate (2PN), and number of embryos biopsied (BX). Mann Whitney and Chi-square tests were performed (p<0.05 significant). Data is reported in median (range) and percentages.
Result(s): 337 E2P cycles were compared to 674 CON. There were fewer microdose lupron (MCD) cycles in E2P patients (E2P: 88% antagonist (ANT), 12% MCD vs CON: 76% ANT, 24% MCD, p<0.01). Similar cancelation rates [E2P: 14% (47/337) vs CON: 12% (82/674), p=0.42] and poor blast formation (defined as nothing for biopsy) [E2P: 18% (60/337) vs CON: 15% (103/674), p=0.24] were seen between groups. Number of euploid embryos were similar across all SART age groups except for 38-40 years (y), with fewer euploids in E2P (Table). Cycle start FSH was lower and total GND dose was higher for E2P (p<0.05). Other cycle outcomes were not different.
Conclusion(s): E2P is a viable tool for PGTA freeze all cycles, but does not improve euploidy rate; larger studies are necessary to determine if E2P produces fewer euploids in >38y. Impact Statement: E2P cycles require higher GND dose without increased yield in euploid embryos. [Formula presented] Support: None REFERENCES: 1. Orvieto R. Pretreatment: Does it improve quantity or quality? Fertil Steril. 2022 Apr;117(4):657-663. Epub 2022 Mar 5. PMID:.
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