Abstract
Reliable embryo selection is a central part of a successful IVF program. Single embryo transfer (SET) is widely recommended to avoid multiple pregnancies. The increasing use of SET in clinical practice attenuates the need for improved methods of reliable assessment of embryo quality. In principle, embryos can be selected by morphological appearance or by methods based on analyses of molecular components. Current embryo selection is based on an assessment of developmental stage and morphological aspects at distinct time-points. Continuous monitoring of embryos using time-lapse monitoring (TLM) has recently been introduced in clinical practice. TLM facilitates the laboratory workflow, offers more stable culture conditions, and potentially refined embryo selection, although the evidence for improved clinical outcome is still weak. Molecular based analysis can be performed on data obtained either at the genomic (DNA), the transcriptomic (RNA), the proteomic, or the metabolomic level. In particular, analysis of chromosomal constitution (aneuploidy screening) is gaining ground in clinical practice, while non-invasive analysis of culture media remains experimental. This chapter will provide a general introduction to the presently used static morphological embryo assessment, followed by an overview of the dynamic morphological evaluation (time-lapse imaging) and the molecular-based approaches.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Human Reproduction : Updates and New Horizons |
| Editors | H. Schatten |
| Number of pages | 46 |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Publication date | 13 Mar 2017 |
| Pages | 267-312 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118849583 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118849613 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Mar 2017 |
Keywords
- Embryo selection
- Metabolomics
- MiRNA
- Morphology
- PGS
- Proteomics
- Time-lapse