BREAKING THE SILENCE: SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE SILENT CONSEQUENCES OF EMBRYO QUALITY AND ANEUPLOIDY AND OBESITY IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
2Research and Development, Neo Vita Clinic, Sao Paulo
3Embryology, Lab for Life Laboratory, Sao Paulo
4Medical Department, Vida Bem Vinda Clinic, Sao Paulo
5Medical Department, Neo Vita Clinic, Sao Paulo
Introduction:
Obesity is a global health problem affecting both men and women. Understanding the impact of obesity on fertility and embryo quality is of significant interest in the field of reproductive medicine. This study aims to assess the influence of obesity on embryo quality and related variables in patients seeking assisted reproduction.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of obesity on embryonic quality and other variables associated with assisted reproduction cycles.
Methods:
The study included 919 patients who sought assistance from a reproductive medicine laboratory in Brazil. Patients were categorized into four groups based on their body mass index (BMI): below normal BMI, normal BMI, overweight, and obese. PGT-A analysis was conducted on all embryos, and thirty variables related to the patients` and their partners` reproductive cycles were evaluated. Statistical analysis employed the SPSS 26V program, utilizing one-way ANOVA tests for numeric variables and Tukey`s test to identify intergroup differences.
Results:
The results revealed that obese women had significantly lower embryonic top-quality on the third day compared to other BMI groups (p = 0.039). The mean embryonic quality on the third day was lowest in women with a BMI >30 kg/m2 (55.7% ± 25.5), while the highest mean embryonic top-quality was observed in women with a normal BMI (20-25 kg/m2) (69.5% ± 26.1). However, no significant differences were found between groups regarding other variables, including age, ovarian response, oocyte recovery rate, fertilization rate, blastocyst production, blastocyst top-quality rate on the fifth day, and embryonic aneuploidy.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that obesity negatively impacts embryonic quality on the third day during assisted reproduction. However, it did not find a significant association between obesity and embryonic chromosomal abnormalities. These findings underscore the importance of addressing obesity in the context of assisted reproduction. Obese patients may benefit from lifestyle interventions, such as weight loss and improved nutrition, to optimize their chances of success. Future research should focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying obesity`s effects on embryonic quality and developing interventions to mitigate these impacts.