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Human embryos secrete microRNAs into culture media--a potential biomarker for implantation
Evan M Rosenbluth1, Dawne N Shelton1, Lindsay M Wells1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.
Objective:
To determine whether human blastocysts secrete microRNA (miRNAs) into culture media and whether these reflect embryonic ploidy status and can predict in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.
Design:
Experimental study of human embryos and IVF culture media.
Setting:
Academic IVF program.
Patient(S):
91 donated, cryopreserved embryos that developed into 28 tested blastocysts, from 13 couples who had previously completed IVF cycles.
Intervention(S):
None.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Relative miRNA expression in IVF culture media.
Result(S):
Blastocysts were assessed by chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization analysis, and the culture media from 55 single-embryo transfer cycles was tested for miRNA expression using an array-based quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The expression of the identified miRNA was correlated with pregnancy outcomes. Ten miRNA were identified in the culture media; two were specific to spent media (miR-191 and miR-372), and one was only present in media before the embryos had been cultured (miR-645). MicroRNA-191 was more highly concentrated in media from aneuploid embryos, and miR-191, miR-372, and miR-645 were more highly concentrated in media from failed IVF/non-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Additionally, miRNA were found to be more highly concentrated in ICSI and day-5 media samples when compared with regularly inseminated and day-4 samples, respectively.
Conclusion(S):
MicroRNA can be detected in IVF culture media. Some of these miRNA are differentially expressed according to the fertilization method, chromosomal status, and pregnancy outcome, which makes them potential biomarkers for predicting IVF success.
Insights
Human blastocysts release microRNAs (miRNAs) into culture media, which can indicate embryo ploidy and predict in vitro fertilization success. These findings suggest miRNAs are potential biomarkers for improving IVF outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human blastocysts secrete molecules into their surrounding environment.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with regulatory functions.
- Predicting in vitro fertilization (IVF) success remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if human blastocysts secrete miRNAs into culture media.
- To determine if these secreted miRNAs reflect embryonic ploidy status.
- To assess the potential of these miRNAs as biomarkers for predicting IVF outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA expression in IVF culture media from donated human embryos.
- Chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to assess embryo ploidy.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) array analysis for miRNA detection.
- Correlation of miRNA expression with fertilization method and pregnancy outcomes.
Main Results:
- Ten miRNAs were detected in the culture media, with miR-191 and miR-372 being specific to spent media.
- Higher concentrations of miR-191 were found in media from aneuploid embryos.
- Specific miRNAs (miR-191, miR-372, miR-645) were elevated in media from failed IVF cycles and after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs are detectable in IVF culture media.
- Differential expression of certain miRNAs correlates with fertilization method, chromosomal status, and pregnancy outcomes.
- These miRNAs show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for predicting IVF success.
