Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (2): 139-142.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20210592

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Application of Time-Lapse Imaging Technology for Embryo Selection: A Review

CHEN Zhi-jian, WANG Cai-zhu()   

  1. Reproductive Medicine Center, Meternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530012, China
  • Received:2021-12-13 Published:2022-03-15 Online:2022-03-29
  • Contact: WANG Cai-zhu E-mail:277968256@qq.com

Abstract:

Time-lapse imaging (TLI) is a novel and noninvasive embryo culture and observation technology that can monitor and record the embryonic development in real-time. The analysis of morphokinetic parameters recorded by TLI will help to evaluate the quality of embryos more comprehensively, so as to select the best embryo(s) for embryonic transfer (ET). This review expounds those commonly-used morphokinetic parameters that are closely linked with embryonic development, and discusses the association between these parameters and embryonic development potential and chromosome euploidy. The application status of TLI in embryo selection at present was evaluated, including its advantages and disadvantages. As described in the literature, TLI makes up the flaw of the traditional embryo culture system and morphologic evaluation for embryos, which is helpful for embryologists to select the embryos with developmental potential more accurately. TLI may be the trend of human embryo culture in the future. However, as a new technology, TLI still needs further improvement and perfection, and more research in the embryo selection parameters and embryonic selection models.

Key words: Embryonic development, Kinetics, Time-lapse imaging technology, Embryo evaluation, Morphology