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Morphokinetic embryo behaviour in low-prognosis patients according to the POSEIDON criteria: an analysis of 3326 injected oocytes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2025

Edson Borges Jr ,
Daniela Paes Almeida Ferreira Braga ,
Patricia Guilherme ,
Assumpto Iaconelli Jr  and
Amanda Sousa Setti Open the ORCID record for Amanda Sousa Setti [Opens in a new window]
Edson Borges Jr
Affiliation:
Fertility Medical Group / FERTGROUP Medicina Reprodutiva, São Paulo – SP, Brazil Sapientiae Institute – Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Humana Assistida, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
Daniela Paes Almeida Ferreira Braga
Affiliation:
Fertility Medical Group, São Paulo, Brazil Sapientiae Institute – Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Humana Assistida, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
Patricia Guilherme
Affiliation:
Fertility Medical Group / FERTGROUP Medicina Reprodutiva, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
Assumpto Iaconelli Jr
Affiliation:
Fertility Medical Group / FERTGROUP Medicina Reprodutiva, São Paulo – SP, Brazil Sapientiae Institute – Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Humana Assistida, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
Amanda Sousa Setti*
Affiliation:
Fertility Medical Group, São Paulo, Brazil Sapientiae Institute – Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Humana Assistida, São Paulo – SP, Brazil
*
Corresponding author: Amanda Sousa Setti; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The objective of this cohort study was to investigate whether embryo quality and morphokinetic behaviour differ in the four groups of low-prognosis women as stratified by the POSEIDON criteria. The study was performed in a private university-affiliated in vitro fertilization (IVF) centre, and included 3326 injected oocytes from 846 women undergoing ICSI cycles between March 2019 and April 2022. Kinetic markers from the point of insemination were recorded in the EmbryoScope incubator. Generalized mixed models followed by Bonferroni post hoc were used to compare morphokinetics among the POSEIDON groups. Embryos derived from patients in the POSEIDON groups 2, 3 and 4 showed significantly slower divisions compared to those from POSEIDON 1 group. The KIDScore rank was significantly lower for embryos deriving from POSEIDON groups 2, 3 and 4 (2: 4.4 ± 0.7 vs. 3: 4.2 ± 0.2 vs. 4: 3.0 ± 0.4) compared to those deriving from POSEIDON 1 group (4.8 ± 0.1, p < 0.001). Group POSEIDON 1 showed improved implantation (26.9% vs. 2: 22.4% vs. 3: 20.0% vs. 4: 14.0, p < 0.001) and miscarriage rates (5.6% vs. 2: 31.2% vs. 4: 50.0%, p = 0.013). Embryo quality and morphokinetic behaviour differ across the POSEIDON groups, being more favourable in POSEIDON group 1, as well as implantation and miscarriage rates. Embryo development was more favourable in POSEIDON group 1 (young age and adequate ovarian reserve), suggesting that oocyte quality is determinant of embryo developmental potential. These findings show the reasonability of classifying POR by the POSEIDON criteria and provide information for counselling of POR regarding their possible prognosis.

Keywords

Controlled ovarian stimulationintracytoplasmic sperm injectionlow prognosispoor ovarian responsePOSEIDON criteria
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , First View , pp. 1 - 6
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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