Abstract
When performing assisted reproductive technology, only a few oocytes develop into good-quality embryos for transfer. Assessment of embryo morphology is a criterion for selecting transferred embryo. Morphological embryo evaluation includes the number, uniformity of blastomeres and grade of fragmentation. In particular, fragmentation is considered an important criterion because fragmented embryos have limited developmental potential and rarely result in implantation. Fragmentation is small portions of cytoplasm enclosed by a cell membrane but usually not containing DNA are often formed during cell division. Fragmentation depends on embryo culture conditions, poor ovarian response, semen quality, maternal age, oocyte quality and ovarian stimulation. The aim of this review article is toprovide an overview of the embryo fragmentation mechanisms, fragmentation patterns and impact of the degree of fragmentation on the IVF outcome.
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