P–133 Monopronuclear (1PN) embryos can derive in healthy pregnancies
Authors: Brinkmann E , Demmers. va. d. Werken C , Ramos L 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Should 1PN embryos be considered suitable for transfer when normal development is observed at day 3 or day 5?

Summary answer

In IVF/ICSI cycles, 1PN zygotes are encountered in 2.7% of inseminated oocytes. Transfer of 1PN-embryos should be considered in the absence of suitable 2PN embryos.

What is known already

During in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) zygotes containing only a single pronucleus (monopronuclear, 1PN) are encountered in 1–7.7% of cases, while the display of two pronuclei is expected in a normally fertilised oocyte. A 1PN zygote can be of gynogenetic or androgenetic origin, but it can also be biparental. Gynogenetic and androgenetic 1PN embryos can be haploid or diploid, so a diploid 1PN embryo is not guaranteed to be normally fertilised. Generally, 1PN are discarded, as they have an increased risk for aneuploidy. However, sporadically they can develop into healthyl babies.

Study design, size, duration

1PN-zygotes (n = 1287, 2.7% from all inseminated oocytes) from 1–1–2016 up to 15–12–2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The development and fate (discarded/transferred/cryopreserved) of all embryos were recorded. Embryos were evaluated at day 2, 3 or 5 of development. The policy of our unit is that, in absence of 2PN embryos, normal developed 1PN-embryos can be transferred on day 3. Supernumerary 1PN embryos can be cryopreserved at blastocyst stage. Ongoing pregnancies from fresh embryo transfers (ET) were analysed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In 946 IVF/ICSI cycles, at least one 1PN zygote was observed (total 1287 embryos). ICSI with ejaculated, PESA or TESE sperm counted for a total of 795 embryos, IVF cycles for 494 embryos. Embryo evaluation was performed using a home-made numerical algorithm: A (top embryo; 150–200 points), B (regular embryo; 100–149 points) or C (poor embryo; 0–99 points). Monopronuclear embryos always scored lower than equal developed 2PN embryos. Blastocyst evaluation was according to Gardner score.

Main results and the role of chance

From the 795 ICSI embryos, 49 (6.1%) were used for fresh ET (26 scored quality A or B), and a total of 60 embryos developed to blastocyst and were cryopreserved. From these 49 ICSI transfers, 4 (8.1%) ongoing pregnancies were obtained, all 4 from DET (1PN+2PN embryo), from which one twin pregnancy was confirmed. From the 494 IVF embryos, 41 (8.3%) were used for fresh ET (24 scored A or B), and 62 blastocysts were cryopreserved. A total of 9/41 (22%) ongoing pregnancies were obtained: 5 from SET (1PN) and 4 from DET (1PN+ 2PN embryo). Therefore, in only five IVF cycles a confirmed pregnancy was observed from a 1PN embryo (all A-quality embryos).

Considering six ongoing pregnancies with complete certainty of monopronuclear origin from fresh tranfers could be confirmed from our retrospective data, we can conclude that although the live birth rate of these embryos is very low (around 0,5- 1.0%), they should not be discarded when development is normal and no dipronuclear embryos are present.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Cryo-thawing data is missing as these embryos were not differentially marked at freezing. Therefore, the cumulative pregnancies from monopronuclear embryos could be higher. Embryos were not evaluated in a time lapse system, so asynchronicity of PN formation could explain missing the right moment for evaluation, while normal fertilized.

Wider implications of the findings: Notably, IVF monopronuclear embryos display a higher developmental potential than those derived from ICSI. We suggest that, in absence of dipronuclear embryos, culture to blastocyst stage before considering fresh ET or cryopreservation will help differentiate viable 1PN embryos, reducing the higher chance of genetic anomalies and miscarriages.

Trial registration number

N.A.