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Updated: Nov 20, 2025
Microprobe Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry for Single-cell Metabolomics in Live Frog Xenopus laevis Embryos
Published on: December 22, 2017
GC-MS/MS analysis of metabolites derived from a single human blastocyst
Naomi Inoue1, Yoshihiro Nishida2, Emi Harada1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu, Oita, 879-5593, Japan.
Introduction:
The field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has significantly advanced; however, morphological evaluation remains as the chosen method of assessment of embryo quality.
Objective:
We aimed to examine metabolic changes in embryo culture medium to develop a non-invasive method for evaluation of embryo quality.
Methods:
We performed metabolic analysis of culture medium obtained from a single blastocyst cultured for freezing.
Results:
In total, 187 (39.8%) of the 469 detectable organic acid metabolites were identified. A significant change (p < 0.05) was observed in eight metabolites between the good-quality and poor-quality embryo groups. Differences were observed in several metabolic pathways between the good-quality and poor-quality embryo groups. Metabolites that showed significant changes were primarily involved in the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids.
Conclusion:
The quantification of metabolism in human embryos may assist in identification and selection of good-quality embryos with high rates of survival before freezing and implantation in conjunction with morphological classification. This may help to identify embryos with high rates of survival.
