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Predicting embryo quality: mRNA expression and the preimplantation embryo
Deirdre Corcoran1, Trudee Fair, Patrick Lonergan
1Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agri-Food and the Environment, University College Dublin, Ireland.
Reproductive Biomedicine Online
|September 24, 2005
Summary
Improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) success requires selecting viable embryos. The post-fertilization culture environment significantly impacts embryo quality and gene expression, irrespective of oocyte origin.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Low implantation rates in human IVF (10-20%) often lead to multiple embryo transfers, increasing risks.
- Selecting viable embryos for transfer could reduce multiple pregnancies and associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of oocyte origin and post-fertilization culture environment on blastocyst development and quality.
- To understand how in vitro culture conditions affect gene expression in embryos.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of in vivo and in vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture in bovine models.
- Assessment of blastocyst yield and quality, including cryotolerance and relative transcript abundance.
Main Results:
- Oocyte origin is the primary determinant of blastocyst yield.
- The post-fertilization culture environment critically influences blastocyst quality, independent of oocyte origin.
- Extended in vitro culture may lead to altered gene expression, including imprinted genes, and phenomena like 'large offspring syndrome'.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing the post-fertilization culture environment is crucial for improving blastocyst quality in IVF.
- Careful management of in vitro culture conditions is necessary to prevent detrimental effects on embryo gene expression and development.