Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41655163›Full record

Observational studyArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2026

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects relative embryo morphokinetics observed by time-lapse imaging: an observational study.

Vera Monika Garçon, Jens Erik Dietrich, Thomas Strowitzki, Alexander Freis

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Vera Monika GarçonDepartment of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Heidelberg University Women's Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. vera.garcon@med.uni-heidelberg.de.ORCID 0009-0000-7096-7864
Jens Erik DietrichDepartment of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Heidelberg University Women's Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0003-0022-9502
Thomas StrowitzkiDepartment of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Heidelberg University Women's Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7024-855X
Alexander FreisDepartment of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, Heidelberg University Women's Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-8223-5166

Funding

Universität Heidelberg not yet applicable, financial support for APC after acceptance of the manuscript
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo characterise the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on embryo morphokinetics via time-lapse imaging, including absolute time points, relative time intervals, and ratios representing cleavage synchronicity.

methodsThis single-centre retrospective observational study examined patients aged 18-45 years undergoing in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with time-lapse imaging (09/2016-12/2019; n = 1433 two-pronuclear oocytes). A group with PCOS (n = 48 embryos) was compared to a control group with uterine, tubal factor or idiopathic infertility (n = 400 embryos). Times from the two-cell stage to blastocyst expansion, eight intervals for embryonic cell cycle (ECC) duration and synchronicity and four cleavage synchronicity (CS) and DNA replication time ratios were analysed.

resultsPCOS patients were younger (P = 0.023) with higher anti-Müllerian hormone levels (P < 0.001) than controls. No statistically noticeable influence of PCOS on absolute times was observed. The intervals from the 3- to 4-cell (synchronicity of cell cycle 2, s2; P = 0.013), the 5- to 8-cell (synchronicity of cell cycle 3, s3; P = 0.032) and the 4- to 8-cell stage (ECC3; P = 0.043) were longer in the PCOS group. The relative CS ratio from the 2- to 8-cell stage (CS2-8) was lower (P = 0.003) and from the 2- to 4-cell stage (CS2-4) was higher (P = 0.001) in PCOS embryos.

conclusionWhilst absolute times remained unaffected, relative morphokinetic intervals and ratios, potentially indicating poorer cleavage synchronicity, were altered in PCOS embryos. This is the first study examining the influence of PCOS on relative morphokinetic ratios.

Indexed as

Embryonic DevelopmentPolycystic Ovary SyndromeAdolescentAdultAnti-Mullerian HormoneFemaleFertilization in VitroHumansInfertility, FemaleMiddle AgedPregnancyRetrospective StudiesSperm Injections, IntracytoplasmicTime-Lapse ImagingYoung AdultAnti-Mullerian HormoneAssisted reproductionEmbryo developmentFemale infertilityIntracytoplasmic sperm injectionIn vitro fertilisation

Identifiers

PMID41655163
PMCPMC12883498

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