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Metabolomics Integration in Assisted Reproductive Technologies for Enhanced Embryo Selection beyond Morphokinetic
Soraia Pinto1, Bárbara Guerra-Carvalho2, Luís Crisóstomo3
1Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 11, 2024
Summary
Integrating metabolomics with morphokinetics improves embryo quality assessment for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Specific metabolites like pyruvate and glutamine can predict embryo viability, enhancing successful pregnancy rates.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs)
Background:
- Embryo quality assessment in ARTs relies on subjective morphological evaluation, leading to inconsistencies.
- Objective evaluation is needed to improve embryo selection for transfer and enhance success rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate embryo metabolomics with morphokinetics for a more objective embryo quality evaluation.
- To identify metabolic biomarkers predictive of embryo quality and developmental potential.
Main Methods:
- Collected culture medium from 55 embryos at days 3 and 5 post-ICSI.
- Classified embryos as Good, Lagging, or Bad based on morphokinetics.
- Analyzed metabolite variations (pyruvate, lactate, alanine, glutamine, acetate, formate) using 1H-NMR.
Main Results:
- Metabolite differentials in the first 3 days of culture predicted embryo quality at day 5.
- Pyruvate, alanine, glutamine, and acetate were key discriminators.
- Good and Lagging embryos exported pyruvate and glutamine, while Bad embryos consumed them, indicating lower metabolic activity.
Conclusions:
- Metabolomics combined with morphokinetics offers a more comprehensive and objective embryo quality assessment.
- Pyruvate and glutamine are potential biomarkers for predicting embryo viability in ARTs.
- Improved embryo selection through this integrated approach can enhance ART success rates and pregnancy outcomes.
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