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Morphokinetic Evaluation of Embryo Development in a Mouse Model: Functional and Molecular Correlates
Rachel Weinerman1, Rui Feng2, Teri S Ord1
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Biology of Reproduction
|February 26, 2016
Summary
Early embryo cleavage timing predicts blastocyst development. Optimal morphokinetics in mouse embryos led to higher sustained implantation and lower resorption rates, suggesting predictive value for pregnancy outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Embryology
Background:
- Time-lapse microscopy of early embryo cleavage (morphokinetics) predicts blastocyst development.
- The direct link between morphokinetic parameters and pregnancy establishment (live birth) remains unclear.
- Previous studies have not directly compared the pregnancy outcomes of morphokinetically optimal versus suboptimal embryos.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a mouse model for assessing the predictive value of early embryo cleavage parameters for pregnancy outcomes.
- To determine if morphokinetically optimal embryos exhibit a higher potential for successful implantation and development compared to suboptimal embryos.
- To investigate the relationship between embryo morphokinetics and gene expression profiles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized time-lapse microscopy for detailed analysis of early mouse embryo cleavage events.
- Developed a prediction model using classification and regression trees to identify optimal morphokinetic parameters for blastocyst development.
- Transferred morphokinetically classified optimal and suboptimal embryos into surrogate hosts to assess pregnancy outcomes (implantation and resorption rates).
- Performed transcript profiling on optimal and suboptimal embryos to compare gene expression.
Main Results:
- The timing of the second and third mitotic divisions accurately predicted blastocyst development in the mouse model.
- Morphokinetically optimal embryos showed a significantly higher incidence of sustained implantation at mid-gestation compared to suboptimal embryos.
- Suboptimal embryos exhibited a significantly higher incidence of resorption compared to optimal embryos.
- Transcript profiling revealed minimal gene expression differences between optimal and suboptimal embryos.
Conclusions:
- Early embryo cleavage timing, as assessed by time-lapse microscopy, is a significant predictor of blastocyst formation and subsequent pregnancy outcomes in mice.
- Morphokinetic analysis provides valuable information on embryo developmental competence beyond gene expression levels.
- These findings support the potential clinical application of morphokinetic analysis in assisted reproductive technologies to improve pregnancy success rates.
