Embryo's Natural Motion (enMotion): a paired randomized controlled trial evaluating a dynamic embryo culture system

Abstract

Objective: To determine if a dynamic embryo culture system affects the reproductive potential of human embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design: Paired randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Setting: IVF center.

Patient(s): IVF patients with normal ovarian reserve eligible for two-embryo transfer.

Intervention: IVF care was routine until fertilization was confirmed. Two-pronuclear embryos (2PNs) were then randomized: One-half of each patient's 2PNs were cultured in dynamic culture and one-half in static culture. Preimplantation genetic testing for embryonic aneuploidy was used to control for aneuploidy and allow for DNA fingerprinting. The best euploid blastocyst from each culture system was selected and patients underwent a frozen two-embryo transfer. If a singleton gestation resulted, DNA-fingerprinting was used to determine which of the two blastocysts implanted. The dynamic platform used was the NSSB-300 (Nepagene).

Main outcome measure(s): The primary outcome was the proportion of usable blastocysts obtained. The secondary outcome was sustained implantation rate (SIR).

Result(s): One hundred participants completed oocyte retrieval and blastocyst vitrification for frozen-thawed embryo transfer; 609 dynamic 2PNs and 615 static 2PNs were followed; and 304 blastocysts developed in dynamic culture and 333 blastocysts developed in static culture. In the paired analysis, the rate of usable blastulation was similar between dynamic and static culture (58.3% vs. 57.1%). In addition, there was no difference in the rate of aneuploidy (20.0% vs. 33.3%) or SIR (67.1% vs. 63.1%) between groups.

Conclusion(s): In this paired RCT, dynamic culture did not improve usable blastulation rate or SIR.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT02467725.

Keywords: dynamic culture; embryonic competence; microvibration platform.