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Time‐lapse systems for embryo incubation and assessment in assisted reproduction

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Abstract

Background

Embryo incubation and assessment is a vital step in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Traditionally, embryo assessment has been achieved by removing embryos from a conventional incubator daily for quality assessment by an embryologist, under a light microscope. Over recent years time‐lapse systems have been developed which can take digital images of embryos at frequent time intervals. This allows embryologists, with or without the assistance of embryo selection software, to assess the quality of the embryos without physically removing them from the incubator.

The potential advantages of a time‐lapse system (TLS) include the ability to maintain a stable culture environment, therefore limiting the exposure of embryos to changes in gas composition, temperature and movement. A TLS has the potential advantage of improving embryo selection for ART treatment by utilising additional information gained through continuously monitoring embryo development. Use of a TLS often adds significant extra cost onto an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle.

Objectives

To determine the effect of a TLS compared to conventional embryo incubation and assessment on clinical outcomes in couples undergoing ART.

Search methods

We used standard methodology recommended by Cochrane. We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility (CGF) Group trials register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and two trials registers on 2 August 2017.

Selection criteria

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the following comparisons: comparing a TLS, with or without embryo selection software, versus conventional incubation with morphological assessment; and TLS with embryo selection software versus TLS without embryo selection software among couples undergoing ART.

Data collection and analysis

We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. The primary review outcomes were live birth, miscarriage and stillbirth. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and cumulative clinical pregnancy. We reported quality of the evidence for important outcomes using GRADE methodology. We made the following comparisons.

TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images versus conventional incubation and assessment

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus conventional incubation and assessment

Main results

We included eight RCTs (N = 2303 women). The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. The main limitations were imprecision and risk of bias associated with lack of blinding of participants and researchers, and indirectness secondary to significant heterogeneity between interventions in some studies. There were no data on cumulative clinical pregnancy.

TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images versus conventional incubation and assessment

There is no evidence of a difference between the interventions in terms of live birth rates (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.13, 2 RCTs, N = 440, I2 = 11% , moderate‐quality evidence) and may also be no evidence of difference in miscarriage rates (OR 2.25, 95% CI 0.84 to 6.02, 2 RCTs, N = 440, I2 = 44%, low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the live birth rate associated with conventional incubation and assessment is 33%, the rate with use of TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images is between 19% and 36%; and that if the miscarriage rate with conventional incubation is 3%, the rate associated with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images would be between 3% and 18%. There is no evidence of a difference between the interventions in the stillbirth rate (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.13 to 7.49, 1 RCT, N = 76, low‐quality evidence). There is no evidence of a difference between the interventions in clinical pregnancy rates (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.33, 3 RCTs, N = 489, I2 = 0%, moderate‐quality evidence).

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images

No data were available on live birth or stillbirth. We are uncertain whether TLS utilising embryo selection software influences miscarriage rates (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.64 to 3.01, 2 RCTs, N = 463, I2 = 0%, very low‐quality evidence) and there may be no difference in clinical pregnancy rates (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.42, 2 RCTs, N = 463, I2 = 0%, low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the miscarriage rate associated with assessment of still TLS images is 5%, the rate with embryo selection software would be between 3% and 14%.

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus conventional incubation and assessment

There is no evidence of a difference between TLS utilising embryo selection software and conventional incubation improving live birth rates (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.54, 2 RCTs, N = 1017, I2 = 0%, very low‐quality evidence). We are uncertain whether TLS influences miscarriage rates (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.08, 3 RCTs, N = 1351, I2 = 0%, very low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the live birth rate associated with no TLS is 38%, the rate with use of conventional incubation would be between 36% and 58%, and that if miscarriage rate with conventional incubation is 9%, the rate associated with TLS would be between 4% and 10%. No data on stillbirths were available. It was uncertain whether the intervention influenced clinical pregnancy rates (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.45, 3 RCTs, N = 1351, I2 = 42%, very low‐quality evidence).

Authors' conclusions

There is insufficient evidence of differences in live birth, miscarriage, stillbirth or clinical pregnancy to choose between TLS, with or without embryo selection software, and conventional incubation. The studies were at high risk of bias for randomisation and allocation concealment, the result should be interpreted with extreme caution.

PICOs

Population
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome

The PICO model is widely used and taught in evidence-based health care as a strategy for formulating questions and search strategies and for characterizing clinical studies or meta-analyses. PICO stands for four different potential components of a clinical question: Patient, Population or Problem; Intervention; Comparison; Outcome.

See more on using PICO in the Cochrane Handbook.

Plain language summary

Time‐lapse systems for embryo incubation and embryo assessment for couples undergoing IVF and ICSI

Review question

We wanted to determine whether a time‐lapse system (TLS) would improve the chances of a pregnancy and liveborn baby, and reduce the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Background

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are processes whereby a woman's eggs and a man's sperm are combined to achieve fertilisation outside of the body. Embryos are stored in an incubator and replaced into the woman between day 2 and 5 of development. Usually, embryos are removed from a conventional incubator for assessment, under a microscope, of their quality and stage of development. A TLS can take images of embryos at frequent time intervals, which allows assessment without removing the embryos from the incubator. A TLS can also apply a software programme that assists the embryologist in selecting the best quality embryo for replacement, potentially improving the chance of a liveborn baby.

Study Characteristics

The evidence is current to August 2017. We included eight studies (randomised controlled trials) of 2303 women undergoing IVF or ICSI. There were three different study designs: 1) TLS with conventional assessment of still TLS images versus conventional incubation and assessment, 2) TLS utilising embryo selection software versus TLS with conventional assessment of still TLS images, and 3) TLS utilising embryo selection software versus conventional incubation and assessment.

Trials included women undergoing IVF, and ICSI; some trials involve frozen embryo transfer and others fresh; one trial includes women using donor eggs, and the remainder use the woman's own eggs; the day of embryo transfer differs between trials; and in some only one embryo is replaced whereas in others, multiple embryos are replaced. We have taken account of these differences when assessing quality of the evidence. These differences should be seen as reflecting 'real world' practices, where there are variations in practice.

What the review found

TLS with conventional assessment of still TLS images versus conventional incubation and assessment

There is probably no difference between these interventions in live birth rates or pregnancy rates (moderate‐quality evidence), miscarriage rates or stillbirth rates (low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the live birth rate associated with conventional incubation and assessment is 33%, the rate with use of TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images is between 19% and 36%.

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus TLS with conventional assessment of still TLS images

No data were available on live birth or stillbirth. We are uncertain whether TLS utilising embryo selection software influences miscarriage rates, compared with TLS with conventional morphological assessment of still TLS images (very low‐quality evidence) and clinical pregnancy rates (low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the miscarriage rate associated with assessment of still TLS images is 5%, the rate with embryo selection software would be between 3% and 14%.

TLS utilising embryo selection software versus conventional incubation and assessment

There is no evidence from well designed studies that TLS utilising embryo selection software improves live birth or pregnancy rates compared to no TLS (very low‐quality evidence) or reduces miscarriages (very low‐quality evidence). The evidence suggests that if the live birth rate associated with no TLS is 38%, the rate with use of conventional incubation would be between 36% and 58%.

Patients need to be aware that there is no good evidence that TLS is more effective than conventional methods of embryo incubation. Women may wish to take part in RCTs on TLS in order to add to the existing evidence base, and help guide ART patients in the future.

Quality of the evidence

The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate.