Comparison of gender-specific human embryo development characteristics by time-lapse technology

Numerous studies indicate that there might be differences in embryo growth dynamics between male and female embryos. However, current data in humans are scarce and the results are inconclusive or conflicting. This study asks whether there exist gender-specific embryo development kinetics or parameters between human male and female embryos that can be observed by time-lapse technology. Study included data from 139 consecutive cycles (177 embryos transferred, 179 sacs analysed) with positive pregnancy that resulted in 100% implantation. Single- or double-embryo transfers were performed. Cases were analysed for parameters including cleavage time points and duration in each cleavage from two cells to hatching blastocyst stages and time interval between cleavages. Morphokinetic parameters of 78 female and 60 male embryos from a total of 119 cycles (139 sacs were examined after transfer of 138 embryos) were processed for data analysis according to the gender group. A detailed analysis of the data regarding each time point or interval between consecutive events according to these groups showed them to be similar in cell division kinetics, from the early cleavage through their development to blastocyst stage. However, female embryos showed earlier cavitation than male embryos, but the results did not reach statistical significance.