Comparison of Embryo Development in Time-Lapse (Geri) and Benchtop Conventional Incubators: A Prospective Sibling Oocyte Study - Abstract
Study Question: Does the use of a time-lapse incubator (Geri) improve embryo development and blastocyst quality compared to a conventional Benchtop incubator?
Summary Answer: Embryos cultured in the time-lapse Geri incubator demonstrated significantly higher blastulation rates, improved blastocyst quality, and increased euploidy
rates compared to those cultured in a conventional benchtop incubator.
What is Known Already: Conventional benchtop incubators have been the standard in IVF laboratories, but time-lapse incubators offer continuous monitoring with minimal
environmental disturbance, potentially improving embryo development and selection.
Study Design, Size, Duration: This prospective sibling oocyte study included 3,079 mature oocytes from 200 patients undergoing ICSI at ART Fertility Clinics, Antalya, Türkiye,
between June 2023 and January 2024. Oocytes were randomly allocated to either the Geri time-lapse incubator or a conventional benchtop incubator (G185 K-SYSTEMS).
Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods: A total of 1,372 oocytes were cultured in the Geri incubator, and 1,707 in the conventional incubator. Fertilization, cleavage,
blastocyst formation, and embryo quality were assessed. Blastocyst euploidy rates were determined using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).
Main Results and the Role of Chance: No significant differences were observed in fertilization rates (64.0% vs. 58.4%, P = 0.932) or cleavage rates (44.4% vs. 41.3%, P
= 0.676) between the two groups. However, embryos cultured in the Geri incubator had significantly higher blastulation rates (54.0% vs. 50.0%, P < 0.001) and usable blastocyst
rates on Day 5 (56.8% vs. 49.0%, P = 0.036). Additionally, the Geri group showed a significantly higher euploidy rate (53.5% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.001) and improved blastocyst
quality (P = 0.007).
Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The study was conducted at a single center, and the sample size, though substantial, may not fully capture variability across different patient
populations. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of time-lapse incubators was not evaluated.
Wider Implications of the Findings: The results suggest that time-lapse incubators, such as the Geri, may enhance embryo development and selection, potentially improving
IVF outcomes. These findings support the adoption of time-lapse technology in IVF laboratories, particularly for clinics aiming to optimize blastocyst quality and euploidy rates.
Study Funding/Competing Interests: This study was funded by ART Fertility Clinics. The authors declare no competing interests.