Triploidy formation after intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be a surrogate marker for implantation.

OBJECTIVE

Triploidy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is due mostly to retention of the second polar body. Our interest was to determine the predictors of triploidy and to determine whether the presence of triploidy can serve as a surrogate marker of implantation for the remaining cohort of zygotes.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING

Academic research center.

PATIENT(S): Infertile couples undergoing IVF/ICSI.

INTERVENTION(S): None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Triploid zygote (3PN) rate, implantation rate.

RESULT(S): The 3PN rate is a significant predictor of implantation rate for the remaining cohort of zygotes. The starting and total dose of gonadotropins administered and the total days of stimulation are independent predictors of the 3PN rate.

CONCLUSION(S): In couples with a normal semen analysis undergoing IVF/ICSI, the 3PN rate may serve as a surrogate marker of oocyte quality and may be altered by adjusting the stimulation protocol.