Non-invasive viability assessment of day-4 frozen-thawed human embryos using near infrared spectroscopy.
This study investigated if metabolomic profiling of culture media using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was related to live-birth rates after single-embryo transfer of frozen-thawed embryos. Analysis of culture media of frozen-thawed embryos was performed by NIR spectroscopy. A viability score was calculated using a predictive multivariate algorithm of fresh day-5 embryos with known pregnancy outcomes. This algorithm generated with fresh day-5 embryos could help to identify the live-birth group from the no live-birth group. Multivariable regression models that tested the predictive ability of the viability score for live birth showed an odds ratio in the crude analysis of 1.50 (P=0.008), after adjustment for embryo morphology, 1.44 (P=0.022), and after adjustment for all variables, 1.71 (P=0.005); based on a 0.1 step increase in viability scores. In conclusion, higher viability scores resulted in higher live-birth rates. An algorithm generated from fresh embryos might be used to predict viability of frozen-thawed embryos. Frozen-thawed embryos have different metabolic activity which is related to implantation potential. Therefore, this method might be useful to select the best embryo for transfer within a group of embryos with similar morphology.
VU University Medical Center, Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IVF Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. carlijn.vergouw@vumc.nl
Carlijn G
CG
Vergouw
Lucy L
LL
Botros
Kevin
K
Judge
Mark
M
Henson
Pieter
P
Roos
E Hanna
EH
Kostelijk
Roel
R
Schats
Jos W R
JW
Twisk
Peter G A
PG
Hompes
Denny
D
Sakkas
Cornelis B
CB
Lambalk
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055432:Metabolomics / Q000379:methods*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012044:Regression Analysis; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods
D003470:Culture Media