Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42332613›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026

A predictive model for high-quality blastocyst formation using Day 3 morphological scores in women of advanced maternal age.

Tingting Zheng, Ningjing Chen, Xiaofei Wang, Jianqiang Guo, Hong Ye

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Tingting ZhengDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling St., Yichang, Hubei, 443003, P.R. China.
Ningjing ChenDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling St., Yichang, Hubei, 443003, P.R. China.
Xiaofei WangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling St., Yichang, Hubei, 443003, P.R. China.
Jianqiang GuoEmergency Department, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443003, P.R. China. 54012010@qq.com.
Hong YeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, Yichang Central People's Hospital, Three Gorges University, 183 Yiling St., Yichang, Hubei, 443003, P.R. China. yehong0527@163.com.

Funding

Hubei Province Association of Pathophysiology 2025HBAP018Municipal Science and Technology Innovation funded under the Science and Technology Bureau of Yichang city A22-2-020Program on the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China 2024AFB845
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo develop and validate a simple predictive model based on Day 3 embryo morphology to guide blastocyst culture strategy and optimize transfer outcomes for women of advanced maternal age (AMA).

methodsThis retrospective study analyzed a total of 6840 cleavage-stage embryos from 1102 fresh oocyte retrieval cycles with subsequent blastocyst culture in AMA patients. Key parameters including the number of oocytes retrieved, Day 2 and Day 3 cell numbers, embryo fragmentation, embryo grade, and the number of high-quality Day 3 embryos were assessed. Their associations with the blastocyst formation rate (BR), high-quality blastocyst formation rate (HBR) and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

resultsLogistic regression identified the number of high-quality Day 3 embryos as a pivotal independent predictor. A threshold of ≥ 4 high-quality embryos was established. For cycles meeting this criterion, the risk of having no Day 5 transferable blastocyst was 19.30%. Within this group, Day 5 blastocyst transfer was associated with significantly higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, a lower multiple pregnancy rate, and improved neonatal outcomes (higher gestational age and birth weight) compared to Day 3 cleavage-stage transfer. The threshold showed good predictive performance in a temporally separated validation cohort (AUC 0.91).

conclusionIn AMA patients, a threshold of ≥ 4 high-quality Day 3 embryos may serve as a practical, low-cost criterion to guide blastocyst culture and elective single blastocyst transfer. The approach is associated with favorable clinical and neonatal outcomes but requires prospective validation in unselected populations.

Indexed as

BlastocystEmbryo Culture TechniquesEmbryo TransferAdultAdvanced Maternal AgeEmbryonic DevelopmentFemaleHumansLogistic ModelsMaternal AgeOocyte RetrievalPregnancyPregnancy RateRetrospective StudiesAdvanced maternal ageBlastocyst cultureBlastocyst formation rateDay 3 high-quality embryoHigh-quality blastocyst formation rateSingle blastocyst transfer

Identifiers

PMID42332613
PMCPMC13450233

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