Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 8/2009

01-08-2009 | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Blastocyst transfer and gender: IVF versus ICSI

Authors: Martha Agnes Hentemann, Siri Briskemyr, Kjell Bertheussen

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 8/2009

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the difference in sex ratio in our centre after day 5 embryo transfer among neonates delivered after fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF), fresh intra cytoplasmatic sperminjection (ICSI) and frozen embryo replacement (FER) compared to expected sex ratio in normal population.

Methods

Retrospective data after IVF/ICSI/FER therapy from 1995 – 2007 and data from the literature on similar subjects.

Results

Among a total of 420 births after day 5 transfer, there were 225 male and 195 female babies. However, after ICSI alone 30 were female and 21 male. Adding all available data from the literature on gender ratio after long term culture, the ratio of male births to total births (0.545) was significantly (p = 0.004) different from the expected ratio (0.515)

Conclusions

It appears that significantly more males are born than expected after day 5 transfer in IVF. However, a subgroup analysis in our data comparing IVF, ICSI and FER revealed more females born after ICSI and FER, suggesting that further research is needed in this area.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Agung B, Otoi T, Wongsrikeao P, et al. Effect of maturation culture period of oocytes on the sex ratio of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos. J Reprod Dev. 2006;52:123–7.CrossRefPubMed Agung B, Otoi T, Wongsrikeao P, et al. Effect of maturation culture period of oocytes on the sex ratio of in vitro fertilized bovine embryos. J Reprod Dev. 2006;52:123–7.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Alfarawati S, Fragouli E, Katz-Jaffe M, Schoolcraft WB, Munne S, Wells D. Comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of the blastocyst stage: the impact of aneuploidy on embryonic mophology. Human Reproduction, Abstracts of the 25 th Annual Meeting of ESHRE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 28 June - 1 July, 2009;24 supplement 1:i46–7. Alfarawati S, Fragouli E, Katz-Jaffe M, Schoolcraft WB, Munne S, Wells D. Comprehensive cytogenetic analysis of the blastocyst stage: the impact of aneuploidy on embryonic mophology. Human Reproduction, Abstracts of the 25 th Annual Meeting of ESHRE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 28 June - 1 July, 2009;24 supplement 1:i46–7.
3.
go back to reference Anderson M, Graham J, Tucker M, Krecko T, Levy M, Widra E. Comparison of gender and birth weight following day three and blastocyst transfers. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S179.CrossRef Anderson M, Graham J, Tucker M, Krecko T, Levy M, Widra E. Comparison of gender and birth weight following day three and blastocyst transfers. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S179.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Bermejo-Alvarez P, Rizos D, Rath D, Lonergan P, Gutierrez-Adan A. Can bovine in vitro-matured oocytes selectively process X- or Y-sorted sperm differentially? Biol Reprod. 2008;79:594–7.CrossRefPubMed Bermejo-Alvarez P, Rizos D, Rath D, Lonergan P, Gutierrez-Adan A. Can bovine in vitro-matured oocytes selectively process X- or Y-sorted sperm differentially? Biol Reprod. 2008;79:594–7.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Bermejo-Alvarez P, Rizos D, Rath D, Lonergan P, Gutierrez-Adan A. Epigenetic differences between male and female bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. Physiol Genomics. 2008;32:264–72.PubMed Bermejo-Alvarez P, Rizos D, Rath D, Lonergan P, Gutierrez-Adan A. Epigenetic differences between male and female bovine blastocysts produced in vitro. Physiol Genomics. 2008;32:264–72.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Bertheussen K. Growth of cells in a new defined protein-free medium. Cytotechnology. 1993;11:219–31.CrossRefPubMed Bertheussen K. Growth of cells in a new defined protein-free medium. Cytotechnology. 1993;11:219–31.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Bertheussen K, Forsdahl F, Maltau JM. In vitro fertilization. New media for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage. Proceedings of the 10th World Congress of in Vitro Fertilization and Assisted Reproduction, Vancouver (Canada), May 24–28: 1997;199–204. Bertheussen K, Forsdahl F, Maltau JM. In vitro fertilization. New media for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage. Proceedings of the 10th World Congress of in Vitro Fertilization and Assisted Reproduction, Vancouver (Canada), May 24–28: 1997;199–204.
8.
go back to reference Chang HJ, Lee JR, Jee BC, Suh CS, Kim SH. Impact of blastocyst transfer on offspring sex ratio and the monozygotic twinning rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2008. Chang HJ, Lee JR, Jee BC, Suh CS, Kim SH. Impact of blastocyst transfer on offspring sex ratio and the monozygotic twinning rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Fertil Steril. 2008.
9.
go back to reference Csokmay JM, Hill MJ, Cioppettini FV, Miller KA, Scott RT, Jr., Frattarelli JL. Live birth sex ratios are not influenced by blastocyst-stage embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2008. Csokmay JM, Hill MJ, Cioppettini FV, Miller KA, Scott RT, Jr., Frattarelli JL. Live birth sex ratios are not influenced by blastocyst-stage embryo transfer. Fertil Steril. 2008.
10.
go back to reference Dumoulin JC, Derhaag JG, Bras M, et al. Growth rate of human preimplantation embryos is sex dependent after ICSI but not after IVF. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:484–91.CrossRefPubMed Dumoulin JC, Derhaag JG, Bras M, et al. Growth rate of human preimplantation embryos is sex dependent after ICSI but not after IVF. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:484–91.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Grech V, Savona-Ventura C, Vassallo-Agius P. Research pointers: Unexplained differences in sex ratios at birth in Europe and North America. BMJ. 2002;324:1010–1.CrossRefPubMed Grech V, Savona-Ventura C, Vassallo-Agius P. Research pointers: Unexplained differences in sex ratios at birth in Europe and North America. BMJ. 2002;324:1010–1.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Gutierrez-Adan A, Granados J, Pintado B, De La FJ. Influence of glucose on the sex ratio of bovine IVM/IVF embryos cultured in vitro. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2001;13:361–5.CrossRefPubMed Gutierrez-Adan A, Granados J, Pintado B, De La FJ. Influence of glucose on the sex ratio of bovine IVM/IVF embryos cultured in vitro. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2001;13:361–5.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Gutierrez-Adan A, Lonergan P, Rizos D, et al. Effect of the in vitro culture system on the kinetics of blastocyst development and sex ratio of bovine embryos. Theriogenology. 2001;55:1117–26.CrossRefPubMed Gutierrez-Adan A, Lonergan P, Rizos D, et al. Effect of the in vitro culture system on the kinetics of blastocyst development and sex ratio of bovine embryos. Theriogenology. 2001;55:1117–26.CrossRefPubMed
14.
15.
go back to reference Holst N, Bertheussen K, Forsdahl F, Hakonsen MB, Hansen LJ, Nielsen HI. Optimization and simplification of culture conditions in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preembryo replacement by serum-free media. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf. 1990;7:47–53.CrossRefPubMed Holst N, Bertheussen K, Forsdahl F, Hakonsen MB, Hansen LJ, Nielsen HI. Optimization and simplification of culture conditions in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preembryo replacement by serum-free media. J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf. 1990;7:47–53.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Kausche A, Jones GM, Trounson AO, Figueiredo F, MacLachlan V, Lolatgis N. Sex ratio and birth weights of infants born as a result of blastocyst transfers compared with early cleavage stage embryo transfers. Fertil Steril. 2001;76:688–93.CrossRefPubMed Kausche A, Jones GM, Trounson AO, Figueiredo F, MacLachlan V, Lolatgis N. Sex ratio and birth weights of infants born as a result of blastocyst transfers compared with early cleavage stage embryo transfers. Fertil Steril. 2001;76:688–93.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Luna M, Duke M, Copperman A, Grunfeld L, Sandler B, Barritt J. Blastocyst embryo transfer is associated with a sex-ratio imbalance in favor of male offspring. Fertil Steril. 2007;87:519–23.CrossRefPubMed Luna M, Duke M, Copperman A, Grunfeld L, Sandler B, Barritt J. Blastocyst embryo transfer is associated with a sex-ratio imbalance in favor of male offspring. Fertil Steril. 2007;87:519–23.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Meintjes M, Crider-Pirkle S, Ward D, Rodriguez J, Chantilis S, Madden J. Sex ratio and birth weight outcome when considering blastocyst expansion, multiple gestation, and facility. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S147.CrossRef Meintjes M, Crider-Pirkle S, Ward D, Rodriguez J, Chantilis S, Madden J. Sex ratio and birth weight outcome when considering blastocyst expansion, multiple gestation, and facility. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S147.CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Menezo YJ, Chouteau J, Torello J, Girard A, Veiga A. Birth weight and sex ratio after transfer at the blastocyst stage in humans. Fertil Steril. 1999;72:221–4.CrossRefPubMed Menezo YJ, Chouteau J, Torello J, Girard A, Veiga A. Birth weight and sex ratio after transfer at the blastocyst stage in humans. Fertil Steril. 1999;72:221–4.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Mercader A, Gamiz P, de los Santos M, Remohii J, Pellicer A. Sex ratio after day 2, day 3, or blastocyst transfer and cleavage stage transfer. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S261–2.CrossRef Mercader A, Gamiz P, de los Santos M, Remohii J, Pellicer A. Sex ratio after day 2, day 3, or blastocyst transfer and cleavage stage transfer. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S261–2.CrossRef
21.
go back to reference Milki AA, Jun SH, Hinckley MD, Westphal LW, Giudice LC, Behr B. Comparison of the sex ratio with blastocyst transfer and cleavage stage transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003;20:323–6.CrossRefPubMed Milki AA, Jun SH, Hinckley MD, Westphal LW, Giudice LC, Behr B. Comparison of the sex ratio with blastocyst transfer and cleavage stage transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003;20:323–6.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Nedambale TL, Dinnyes A, Yang X, Tian XC. Bovine blastocyst development in vitro: timing, sex, and viability following vitrification. Biol Reprod. 2004;71:1671–6.CrossRefPubMed Nedambale TL, Dinnyes A, Yang X, Tian XC. Bovine blastocyst development in vitro: timing, sex, and viability following vitrification. Biol Reprod. 2004;71:1671–6.CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Papanikolaou EG, Camus M, Kolibianakis EM, Van Landuyt L, Van Steirteghem A, Devroey P. In vitro fertilization with single blastocyst-stage versus single cleavage-stage embryos. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1139–46.CrossRefPubMed Papanikolaou EG, Camus M, Kolibianakis EM, Van Landuyt L, Van Steirteghem A, Devroey P. In vitro fertilization with single blastocyst-stage versus single cleavage-stage embryos. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1139–46.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Quintans CJ, Donaldson MJ, Blanco LA, Sergio PR. Deviation in sex ratio after selective transfer of the most developed cocultured blastocysts. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1998;15:403–4.CrossRefPubMed Quintans CJ, Donaldson MJ, Blanco LA, Sergio PR. Deviation in sex ratio after selective transfer of the most developed cocultured blastocysts. J Assist Reprod Genet. 1998;15:403–4.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Ray PF, Conaghan J, Winston RM, Handyside AH. Increased number of cells and metabolic activity in male human preimplantation embryos following in vitro fertilization. J Reprod Fertil. 1995;104:165–71.PubMed Ray PF, Conaghan J, Winston RM, Handyside AH. Increased number of cells and metabolic activity in male human preimplantation embryos following in vitro fertilization. J Reprod Fertil. 1995;104:165–71.PubMed
26.
go back to reference Richter KS, Anderson M, Osborn BH. Selection for faster development does not bias sex ratios resulting from blastocyst embryo transfer. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:460–5.PubMedCrossRef Richter KS, Anderson M, Osborn BH. Selection for faster development does not bias sex ratios resulting from blastocyst embryo transfer. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;12:460–5.PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Rodriguez HF, Bustillo M, La Palme J, Riley E, Eisermann J, Thompson K. Clinical outcomes with transfer of blastocyst or cleavage stage embryos: high order pregnancies, newborn weights and sex ratios. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S170.CrossRef Rodriguez HF, Bustillo M, La Palme J, Riley E, Eisermann J, Thompson K. Clinical outcomes with transfer of blastocyst or cleavage stage embryos: high order pregnancies, newborn weights and sex ratios. Fertil Steril. 2001;76(Supplement 1):S170.CrossRef
28.
go back to reference Schwarzler P, Zech H, Auer M, et al. Pregnancy outcome after blastocyst transfer as compared to early cleavage stage embryo transfer. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:2097–102.CrossRefPubMed Schwarzler P, Zech H, Auer M, et al. Pregnancy outcome after blastocyst transfer as compared to early cleavage stage embryo transfer. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:2097–102.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Tarin JJ, Bernabeu R, Baviera A, Bonada M, Cano A. Sex selection may be inadvertently performed in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer programmes. Hum Reprod. 1995;10:2992–8.CrossRefPubMed Tarin JJ, Bernabeu R, Baviera A, Bonada M, Cano A. Sex selection may be inadvertently performed in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer programmes. Hum Reprod. 1995;10:2992–8.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Weston G, Osianlis T, Catt J, and Vollenhoven B. Blastocyst transfer does not cause a sex-ratio imbalance. Fertil Steril. 2008. Weston G, Osianlis T, Catt J, and Vollenhoven B. Blastocyst transfer does not cause a sex-ratio imbalance. Fertil Steril. 2008.
31.
go back to reference Wilson M, Hartke K, Kiehl M, Rodgers J, Brabec C, Lyles R. Integration of blastocyst transfer for all patients. Fertil Steril. 2002;77:693–6.CrossRefPubMed Wilson M, Hartke K, Kiehl M, Rodgers J, Brabec C, Lyles R. Integration of blastocyst transfer for all patients. Fertil Steril. 2002;77:693–6.CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference Wilson M, Hartke K, Kiehl M, Rodgers J, Brabec C, Lyles R. Transfer of blastocysts and morulae on day 5. Fertil Steril. 2004;82:327–33.CrossRefPubMed Wilson M, Hartke K, Kiehl M, Rodgers J, Brabec C, Lyles R. Transfer of blastocysts and morulae on day 5. Fertil Steril. 2004;82:327–33.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Zini A, Boman JM, Belzile E, Ciampi A. Sperm DNA damage is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss after IVF and ICSI: systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2008;23:2663–8.CrossRefPubMed Zini A, Boman JM, Belzile E, Ciampi A. Sperm DNA damage is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss after IVF and ICSI: systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2008;23:2663–8.CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Zini A and Sigman M. Are Tests of Sperm DNA Damage Clinically Useful? Pros and Cons. J Androl. 2008. Zini A and Sigman M. Are Tests of Sperm DNA Damage Clinically Useful? Pros and Cons. J Androl. 2008.
Metadata
Title
Blastocyst transfer and gender: IVF versus ICSI
Authors
Martha Agnes Hentemann
Siri Briskemyr
Kjell Bertheussen
Publication date
01-08-2009
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 8/2009
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-009-9337-3

Other articles of this Issue 8/2009

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 8/2009 Go to the issue