The goal of embryo diagnostics and prognostics testing.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Embryology
• Clinical Genetics

Background:

• Embryo diagnostic and prognostic tests are widely used in clinical practice.
• Diagnostic tests identify specific embryo abnormalities, while prognostic tests assess reproductive potential.
• The ultimate goal is to enhance safety and clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape and clinical utility of embryo diagnostic and prognostic tests.
• To emphasize the critical need for validation of these preimplantation tests.
• To discuss the impact of diagnostic versus prognostic tests on live birth rates and clinical efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Review of current clinical applications of embryo diagnostic and prognostic testing.
• Analysis of the impact of these tests on cumulative live birth rates and delivery rates per transfer.
• Discussion of validation requirements for analytical platforms and treatment paradigms.

Main Results:

• No embryo diagnostic method has been conclusively proven to increase the cumulative live birth rate.
• Diagnostic tests aim to eliminate affected gestations (e.g., PGT-M, PGT-SR).
• Prognostic tests aim to improve efficiency by increasing initial delivery rates per transfer without altering cohort potential.

Conclusions:

• Rigorous validation studies are essential for all preimplantation embryo tests to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Current diagnostic tests do not improve cumulative live birth rates.
• Prognostic tests may reduce the burden of care by optimizing embryo selection for transfer.