Elevated incidence of chromosomally chaotic embryos among frozen-thawed preimplantation embryos

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on the formation of chromosomal abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos. STUDY DESIGN: The chromosomal constitutions of cleavage stage embryos (n = 61) were assessed using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique, applying probes for chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, X and Y. Study group embryos frozen at zygote or two-cell stage (n = 29) were cultured in vitro post-thawing until they reached four- to six-cell stage, after which their chromosomal constitutions were assessed. Control group embryos frozen at four- to six-cell stage (n = 32) were analysed immediately after thawing in order to exclude any post-thaw effect. The proportions of genetically normal and abnormal embryos were compared between study and control group. RESULTS: The proportions of normal, aneuploid and mosaic embryos were similar in both groups. However, significantly (P < 0.05) higher proportion of chaotic embryos in study (24.1%) compared to control group (6.3%) was observed. CONCLUSION: The elevated level of chromosomally chaotic embryos among embryos that had undergone cellular division after thawing as compared to embryos analysed immediately after thawing indicates a potential negative impact of cryopreservation on the formation of chromosomal abnormalities in preimplantation embryos.