Noninvasive metabolomic profiling as an adjunct to morphology for noninvasive embryo assessment in women undergoing single embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether metabolomic profiling of spent embryo culture media correlates with reproductive potential of human embryos.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Academic and a private assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.


METHODS
Women undergoing single embryo transfer after IVF.


METHODS
Spent embryo culture media were collected after single embryo transfer on day 3 (n = 304) or day 2 (n = 181) and analyzed by near infrared spectroscopy. Near infrared spectral regions were correlated to reproductive potential using a genetic algorithm optimization. Models of these spectral regions were used to calculate viability indices, and were validated by blinded analysis of a subset (n = 60) of samples. Implantation rates were also compared between embryos of higher (>or=0.3) and lower (<0.3) viability indices, and within each morphology grade.


METHODS
Viability index and embryo viability.


RESULTS
Mean viability indices of embryos that resulted in positive fetal cardiac activity were significantly higher compared with embryos that did not for both day 2 and day 3 embryos. Blinded validation of the day 2 model proved to be significant. Increasing viability index values correlated with an increase in pregnancy. Viability indices were found to be independent of morphology for both day 2 and day 3 embryos. Implantation rates were significantly higher among embryos with viability indices >or=0.3.


CONCLUSIONS
Metabolomic profiling of human embryo culture media using near infrared spectroscopy is independent of morphology and correlates with reproductive potential of embryos.
Seli
Emre
E
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA.
Vergouw
Carlijn G
CG
Morita
Hiroshi
H
Botros
Lucy
L
Roos
Pieter
P
Lambalk
Cornelius B
CB
Yamashita
Naoki
N
Kato
Osamu
O
Sakkas
Denny
D
D000465:Algorithms; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D055442:Metabolome; D008954:Models, Biological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
D003470:Culture Media