P–187 Multinucleation and reverse cleavage, sings of early embryo self-repair mechanisms
Authors: Munuer. Puigvert A , Pallès V. Montalv , Mass. Hernáez J , García-Faura A , Marquè. López-Teijón B , López-Teijó. Pérez M 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Have multinucleation and reverse cleavage any effect on embryo development and clinical outcomes on IVF treatments?

Summary answer

Embryos capable of repairing dysmorphisms and developing up to blastocyst stage keep intact their ability to become healthy babies.

What is known already

Time-lapse systems allow IVF laboratories to perform in-depth analysis of embryo development using the continuous monitoring tool. Some events that are impossible to detect with conventional morphologic evaluation, such as reverse cleavage or multinucleation, can be detected using time-lapse. Even though the low scientific evidence, the presence of these events is considered a negative factor when the embryo quality assessment is performed. However, it has been described the possibility that embryos have self-repair intrinsic methods.

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective study including data from 3,577 cycles with 21,274 embryos cultured until blastocyst stage using one-step culture media in time-lapse incubators (Embryoscope, Vitrolife) up to day 5/6 between 2014 and 2019.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Three embryo groups were considered: Control group, embryos without multinucleation or reverse cleavage (CG; n = 16,897); Multinucleation group, embryos with at least one blastomere multinucleated on D + 2/3 (MNC; n = 3,879) and Reverse Cleavage group, embryos undergoing complete fusion of two blastomeres on D + 2/3 (RC; n = 498). Single embryo transfer was performed on blastocyst stage. Clinical outcome rates were compared between groups and analyzed by Chi-square test.

Main results and the role of chance

As published by other groups, the 2.3% of our embryos showed at least one reverse cleavage event and we observed multinucleation in the 18.2% of the embryos. Blastocyst rate of dysmorphism groups was significantly lower (p &lt; 0.05) than Control group (MNC=20.0%; RC = 27.7%; CG = 58.0%). Once transferred, MNC and RC evolutive embryos showed significantly lower pregnancy (MNC=47.9%; RC = 46.8%; CG = 60.8%; p &lt; 0.05) and clinical pregnancy rates (MNC=39.4%; RC = 40.4% CG = 50.6%; p &lt; 0.05) than the Control group (p &lt; 0.05). However, during the post-implantational development the negative effect of dysmorphisms disappears, reaching values of live birth rate comparable to the Control group (MNC=28.3%; RC = 31.9% CG = 33.8%; p = 0.17). These results prove the importance of blastocyst culture and the inherent capability of the embryos to overcome some abnormal dynamics as multinucleation and reverse cleavage. Thus, these embryos showing the poor-prognosis events can be considered for transfer or vitrify.

Limitations, reasons for caution

There is a wide difference on sample size between groups despite the fact that the statistical analysis considers that into account. There are some ongoing pregnancies in all groups.

Wider implications of the findings: When analyzing the development of embryos undergoing reverse cleavage and multinucleation, we hypothesize that these embryos could be showing a self-correction mechanism for some type of error detected. Embryos capable of repairing and developing up to blastocyst stage keep intact their ability to become healthy babies.

Trial registration number

Not applicable