Embryo biopsy and development: the known and the unknown

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Developmental biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) utilizes embryo biopsy to select healthy embryos.
• Blastomere biopsy (BB) and trophectoderm biopsy (TB) are PGD methods, with TB increasingly replacing BB.
• Comprehensive safety and risk evaluations for both BB and TB are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of embryo biopsy.
• To focus research on BB, used for over a decade, and TB, which is growing in clinical use.
• To evaluate embryo biopsy risks and safety in the mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on embryo biopsy (BB and TB) effects.
• Focus on studies utilizing the mouse model for pre- and postnatal development.
• Analysis of animal studies to assess developmental impacts.

Main Results:

• Animal studies suggest BB may impair pre- and postnatal development.
• Limited data exists on the developmental effects of TB.
• Epidemiological studies on human outcomes are controversial and limited.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for research on the long-term safety of BB and TB.
• The mouse model offers a valuable platform for investigating embryo biopsy effects.
• Understanding biopsy risks is crucial for optimizing PGD safety and efficacy.