OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical outcomes of embryos selected using time-lapse microscopy and traditional morphological method in IVF/ICSI cycles and evaluate the clinical value of time-lapse microscopy in early embryo monitoring and selection.

METHODSe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 139 IVF/ICSI cycles with embryo selection based on time-lapse monitoring (TLM group, n=68) and traditional morphological method (control group, n=71). The βHCG-positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate were compared between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis was performed in view of female patients age and the fertilization type.

RESULTSThe βHCG-positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate were 66.2%, 61.8% and 47.1% in TLM group, significantly higher than those in the control group (47.9%, 43.7% and 30.3%, respectively; P<0.05). Compared with patients below 30 years of age, patients aged between 31 and 35 years benefited more from time-lapse monitoring with improved clinical outcomes. time-lapse monitoring significantly increased the βHCG-positive rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate for patients undergoing IVF cycles, but not for those undergoing ICSI or TESA cycles.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with those selected using traditional morphological method, the embryos selected with time-lapse microscopy have better clinical outcomes, especially in older patients (31-35 years of age) and in IVF cycles.