Does double cryopreservation as well as double biopsy affect embryo viability and clinical outcomes? Evidence from a systematic review of the literature.

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of double cryopreservation and re-biopsy on embryo viability and clinical outcomes. Studies of interest were selected from an initial cohort of 1027 potentially relevant records retrieved. PubMed was systematically searched for peer-reviewed original papers identified by keywords and medical subject heading terms. Moreover, we elaborated the evidence tables for double cryopreservation and re-biopsy separately. Data were systematically extracted, focusing on live birth, survival, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates. For each study, we identified absolute numbers (numerator and denominator) related to clinical outcomes. Finally, for each outcome, we calculated the percentage change between the control and study groups. Among studies on double cryopreservation, 13 out of 22 reported no effect on clinical outcomes, suggesting contradictory results. Similarly, findings on re-biopsy were controversial, with seven out of 12 studies showing negative effects on survival and clinical outcomes, while five reported no impact. In our analysis of the evidence tables, we observed a reduction in live birth rates of 22.2% and 39.3% in blastocysts undergoing double vitrification and re-biopsy, respectively. These findings suggest that repeated micromanipulations can impair embryo competence. Therefore, double cryopreservation and re-biopsy should be limited in the selected cases without other options by consulting patients about the possible harmful effects.