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Tikhonov AV, Krapivin MI, Malysheva OV, Komarova EM, Golubeva AV, Efimova OA, Pendina AA. Re-Examination of PGT-A Detected Genetic Pathology in Compartments of Human Blastocysts: A Series of 23 Cases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3289. [PMID: 38893001 PMCID: PMC11172919 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: In recent years, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) has become widespread in assisted reproduction. However, contrary to expectations, PGT-A does not significantly improve the clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies. One of the underlying reasons is the discordance between the PGT-A results and the true chromosomal constitution of the blastocyst. In this case series, we re-examined the PGT-A results in trophectoderm (TE) re-biopsies and in the two isolated blastocyst compartments-the TE and the inner cell mass (ICM). Methods: This study enrolled 23 human blastocysts from 17 couples who were referred for assisted reproduction. The blastocysts were unsuitable for uterine transfer due to the chromosomal imbalance revealed by PGT-A using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) (n = 11) or next-generation sequencing (NGS) (n = 12). The re-examination of the PGT results involved two steps: (1) a TE re-biopsy with subsequent aCGH and (2) blastocyst separation into the TE and the ICM with a subsequent cell-by-cell analysis of each isolated compartment by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the DNA probes to chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, and 22 as well as to the PGT-A detected imbalanced chromosomes. Results: In 8 out of 23 cases, the PGT-A results were concordant with both the re-biopsy and the isolated TE and ICM analyses. The latter included the diagnoses of full non-mosaic aneuploidies (five cases of trisomies and two cases of monosomies). In one case, the results of PGT-A, aCGH on the TE re-biopsy, and FISH on the isolated TE showed Xp tetrasomy, which contrasted with the FISH results on the isolated ICM, where this chromosomal pathology was not detected. This case was classified as a confined mosaicism. In 4 out of 23 cases, the results were partially discordant. The latter included one case of trisomy 12, which was detected as non-mosaic by PGT-A and the re-biopsy and as mosaic by FISH on the isolated TE and ICM. This case was classified as a true mosaicism with a false negative PGT-A result. In 11 out of 23 cases, the re-examination results were not concordant with the PGT-A results. In one of these discordant cases, non-mosaic tetraploidy was detected by FISH in the isolated TE and ICM, whereas the PGT-A and the TE re-biopsy failed to detect any abnormality, which advocated for their false negative result. In two cases, the re-examination did not confirm full aneuploidies. In eight cases, full or partial mosaic aneuploidies as well as chaotic mosacism were not confirmed in the isolated TE nor the isolated ICM. Thus, in 47.8% of cases, the PGT-A results did not reflect the true chromosomal constitution of a blastocyst. Conclusions: The PGT results may have different prognostic value in the characterization of the chromosomal constitution of a blastocyst. The detected non-mosaic aneuploidies have the highest prognostic value. In stark contrast, most PGT-identified mosaic aneuploidies fail to characterize the true chromosomal constitution of a blastocyst. Once detected, a differential diagnosis is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei V. Tikhonov
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Mendeleevskaya Line 3, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Moustakli E, Zikopoulos A, Skentou C, Bouba I, Dafopoulos K, Georgiou I. Evolution of Minimally Invasive and Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing: An Overview. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2160. [PMID: 38673433 PMCID: PMC11050362 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has become a common supplementary diagnοstic/testing tοol for in vitro fertilization (ΙVF) cycles due to a significant increase in cases of PGT fοr mοnogenic cοnditions (ΡGT-M) and de novο aneuplοidies (ΡGT-A) over the last ten years. This tendency is mostly attributable to the advancement and application of novel cytogenetic and molecular techniques in clinical practice that are capable of providing an efficient evaluation of the embryonic chromosomal complement and leading to better IVF/ICSI results. Although PGT is widely used, it requires invasive biopsy of the blastocyst, which may harm the embryo. Non-invasive approaches, like cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, have lower risks but have drawbacks in consistency and sensitivity. This review discusses new developments and opportunities in the field of preimplantation genetic testing, enhancing the overall effectiveness and accessibility of preimplantation testing in the framework of developments in genomic sequencing, bioinformatics, and the integration of artificial intelligence in the interpretation of genetic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (I.B.)
| | - Athanasios Zikopoulos
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK;
| | - Charikleia Skentou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School of Ioannina, University General Hospital, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Ioanna Bouba
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (I.B.)
| | - Konstantinos Dafopoulos
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (E.M.); (I.B.)
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Greco E, Greco PF, Listorti I, Ronsini C, Cucinelli F, Biricik A, Viotti M, Meschino N, Spinella F. The mosaic embryo: what it means for the doctor and the patient. Minerva Obstet Gynecol 2024; 76:89-101. [PMID: 37427860 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-606x.23.05281-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mosaic embryos are embryos that on preimplantation genetic analysis are found to be composed of euploid and aneuploid cells. Although most of these embryos do not implant when transferred into the uterus following IVF treatment, some may implant and are capable of giving rise to babies. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION There is currently an increasing number of reports of live births following the transfer of mosaic embryos. Compared to euploid, mosaic embryos have lower implantation rates and higher rates of miscarriage, and occasionally aneuploid component persists. However, their outcome is better than that obtained after the transfer of embryos consisting entirely of aneuploid cells. After implantation, the ability to develop into a full-term pregnancy is influenced by the amount and type of chromosomal mosaicism present in a mosaic embryo. Nowadays many experts in the reproductive field consider mosaic transfers as an option when no euploid embryos are available. Genetic counseling is an important part of educating patients about the likelihood of having a pregnancy with healthy baby but also on the risk that mosaicism could persist and result in liveborn with chromosomal abnormality. Each situation needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis and counseled accordingly. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS So far, the transfers of 2155 mosaic embryos have been documented and 440 live births resulting in healthy babies have been reported. In addition, in the literature to date, there are 6 cases in which embryonic mosaicism persisted. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the available data indicate that mosaic embryos have the potential to implant and develop into healthy babies, albeit with lower success rates than euploids. Further clinical outcomes should be collected to better establish a refined ranking of embryos to transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermanno Greco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UniCamillus International University, Rome, Italy
- Villa Mafalda, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Pier F Greco
- Villa Mafalda, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Listorti
- Villa Mafalda, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Ronsini
- Department of Women and Children, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy
- Department of General and Specialist Surgery, Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Cucinelli
- Reproductive Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Viotti
- Kindlabs, Kindbody, New York, NY, USA
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, CA, USA
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Popovic M, Borot L, Lorenzon AR, Lopes ALRDC, Sakkas D, Lledó B, Morales R, Ortiz JA, Polyzos NP, Parriego M, Azpiroz F, Galain M, Pujol A, Menten B, Dhaenens L, Vanden Meerschaut F, Stoop D, Rodriguez M, de la Blanca EP, Rodríguez A, Vassena R. Implicit bias in diagnosing mosaicism amongst preimplantation genetic testing providers: results from a multicenter study of 36 395 blastocysts. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:258-274. [PMID: 37873575 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does the diagnosis of mosaicism affect ploidy rates across different providers offering preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our analysis of 36 395 blastocyst biopsies across eight genetic testing laboratories revealed that euploidy rates were significantly higher in providers reporting low rates of mosaicism. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Diagnoses consistent with chromosomal mosaicism have emerged as a third category of possible embryo ploidy outcomes following PGT-A. However, in the era of mosaicism, embryo selection has become increasingly complex. Biological, technical, analytical, and clinical complexities in interpreting such results have led to substantial variability in mosaicism rates across PGT-A providers and clinics. Critically, it remains unknown whether these differences impact the number of euploid embryos available for transfer. Ultimately, this may significantly affect clinical outcomes, with important implications for PGT-A patients. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION In this international, multicenter cohort study, we reviewed 36 395 consecutive PGT-A results, obtained from 10 035 patients across 11 867 treatment cycles, conducted between October 2015 and October 2021. A total of 17 IVF centers, across eight PGT-A providers, five countries and three continents participated in the study. All blastocysts were tested using trophectoderm biopsy and next-generation sequencing. Both autologous and donation cycles were assessed. Cycles using preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements were excluded from the analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The PGT-A providers were randomly categorized (A to H). Providers B, C, D, E, F, G, and H all reported mosaicism, whereas Provider A reported embryos as either euploid or aneuploid. Ploidy rates were analyzed using multilevel mixed linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for maternal age, paternal age, oocyte source, number of embryos biopsied, day of biopsy, and PGT-A provider, as appropriate. We compared associations between genetic testing providers and PGT-A outcomes, including the number of chromosomally normal (euploid) embryos determined to be suitable for transfer. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The mean maternal age (±SD) across all providers was 36.2 (±5.2). Our findings reveal a strong association between PGT-A provider and the diagnosis of euploidy and mosaicism. Amongst the seven providers that reported mosaicism, the rates varied from 3.1% to 25.0%. After adjusting for confounders, we observed a significant difference in the likelihood of diagnosing mosaicism across providers (P < 0.001), ranging from 6.5% (95% CI: 5.2-7.4%) for Provider B to 35.6% (95% CI: 32.6-38.7%) for Provider E. Notably, adjusted euploidy rates were highest for providers that reported the lowest rates of mosaicism (Provider B: euploidy, 55.7% (95% CI: 54.1-57.4%), mosaicism, 6.5% (95% CI: 5.2-7.4%); Provider H: euploidy, 44.5% (95% CI: 43.6-45.4%), mosaicism, 9.9% (95% CI: 9.2-10.6%)); and Provider D: euploidy, 43.8% (95% CI: 39.2-48.4%), mosaicism, 11.0% (95% CI: 7.5-14.5%)). Moreover, the overall chance of having at least one euploid blastocyst available for transfer was significantly higher when mosaicism was not reported, when we compared Provider A to all other providers (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.50). Differences in diagnosing and interpreting mosaic results across PGT-A laboratories raise further concerns regarding the accuracy and relevance of mosaicism predictions. While we confirmed equivalent clinical outcomes following the transfer of mosaic and euploid blastocysts, we found that a significant proportion of mosaic embryos are not used for IVF treatment. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Due to the retrospective nature of the study, associations can be ascertained, however, causality cannot be established. Certain parameters such as blastocyst grade were not available in the dataset. Furthermore, certain platform-related and clinic-specific factors may not be readily quantifiable or explicitly captured in our dataset. As such, a full elucidation of all potential confounders accounting for variability may not be possible. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings highlight the strong need for standardization and quality assurance in the industry. The decision not to transfer mosaic embryos may ultimately reduce the chance of success of a PGT-A cycle by limiting the pool of available embryos. Until we can be certain that mosaic diagnoses accurately reflect biological variability, reporting mosaicism warrants utmost caution. A prudent approach is imperative, as it may determine the difference between success or failure for some patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Torres Quevedo Grant, awarded to M.P. (PTQ2019-010494) by the Spanish State Research Agency, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain. M.P., L.B., A.R.L., A.L.R.d.C.L., N.P.P., M.P., D.S., F.A., A.P., B.M., L.D., F.V.M., D.S., M.R., E.P.d.l.B., A.R., and R.V. have no competing interests to declare. B.L., R.M., and J.A.O. are full time employees of IB Biotech, the genetics company of the Instituto Bernabeu group, which performs preimplantation genetic testing. M.G. is a full time employee of Novagen, the genetics company of Cegyr, which performs preimplantation genetic testing. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Popovic
- Research and Development, Eugin Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorena Borot
- Research and Development, Eugin Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nikolaos P Polyzos
- Clínica Dexeus Mujer, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mónica Parriego
- Clínica Dexeus Mujer, Dexeus University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felicitas Azpiroz
- Research and Development, Eugin Group, Barcelona, Spain
- Cegyr-Medicina y Genética Reproductiva-Eugin Group, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Micaela Galain
- Cegyr-Medicina y Genética Reproductiva-Eugin Group, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aïda Pujol
- Center for Infertility and Human Reproduction, CIRH-Eugin Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Björn Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lien Dhaenens
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Dominic Stoop
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Rita Vassena
- Research and Development, Eugin Group, Barcelona, Spain
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Chavli EA, Klaasen SJ, Van Opstal D, Laven JS, Kops GJ, Baart EB. Single-cell DNA sequencing reveals a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in human blastocysts. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e174483. [PMID: 38175717 PMCID: PMC10940095 DOI: 10.1172/jci174483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy, a deviation from the normal chromosome copy number, is common in human embryos and is considered a primary cause of implantation failure and early pregnancy loss. Meiotic errors lead to uniformly abnormal karyotypes, while mitotic errors lead to chromosomal mosaicism: the presence of cells with at least 2 different karyotypes within an embryo. Knowledge about mosaicism in blastocysts mainly derives from bulk DNA sequencing (DNA-Seq) of multicellular trophectoderm (TE) and/or inner cell mass (ICM) samples. However, this can only detect an average net gain or loss of DNA above a detection threshold of 20%-30%. To accurately assess mosaicism, we separated the TE and ICM of 55 good-quality surplus blastocysts and successfully applied single-cell whole-genome sequencing (scKaryo-Seq) on 1,057 cells. Mosaicism involving numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities was detected in 82% of the embryos, in which most abnormalities affected less than 20% of the cells. Structural abnormalities, potentially caused by replication stress and DNA damage, were observed in 69% of the embryos. In conclusion, our findings indicated that mosaicism was prevalent in good-quality blastocysts, whereas these blastocysts would likely be identified as normal with current bulk DNA-Seq techniques used for preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Effrosyni A. Chavli
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd J. Klaasen
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Joop S.E. Laven
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Geert J.P.L. Kops
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Esther B. Baart
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Campos G, Sciorio R, Fleming S. Healthy Live Births after the Transfer of Mosaic Embryos: Self-Correction or PGT-A Overestimation? Genes (Basel) 2023; 15:18. [PMID: 38275600 PMCID: PMC10815078 DOI: 10.3390/genes15010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The implementation of next generation sequencing (NGS) in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) has led to a higher prevalence of mosaic diagnosis within the trophectoderm (TE) sample. Regardless, mosaicism could potentially increase the rate of live-born children with chromosomic syndromes, though available data from the transfer of embryos with putative PGT-A mosaicism are scarce but reassuring. Even with lower implantation and higher miscarriage rates, mosaic embryos can develop into healthy live births. Therefore, this urges an explanation for the disappearance of aneuploid cells throughout development, to provide guidance in the management of mosaicism in clinical practice. Technical overestimation of mosaicism, together with some sort of "self-correction" mechanisms during the early post-implantation stages, emerged as potential explanations. Unlike the animal model, in which the elimination of genetically abnormal cells from the future fetal lineage has been demonstrated, in human embryos this capability remains unverified even though the germ layer displays an aneuploidy-induced cell death lineage preference with higher rates of apoptosis in the inner cell mass (ICM) than in the TE cells. Moreover, the reported differential dynamics of cell proliferation and apoptosis between euploid, mosaic, and aneuploid embryos, together with pro-apoptosis gene products (cfDNA and mRNA) and extracellular vesicles identified in the blastocoel fluid, may support the hypothesis of apoptosis as a mechanism to purge the preimplantation embryo of aneuploid cells. Alternative hypotheses, like correction of aneuploidy by extrusion of a trisomy chromosome or by monosomic chromosome duplication, are even, though they represent an extremely rare phenomenon. On the other hand, the technical limitations of PGT-A analysis may lead to inaccuracy in embryo diagnoses, identifying as "mosaic" those embryos that are uniformly euploid or aneuploid. NGS assumption of "intermediate copy number profiles" as evidence of a mixture of euploid and aneuploid cells in a single biopsy has been reported to be poorly predictive in cases of mosaicism diagnosis. Additionally, the concordance found between the TE and the ICM in cases of TE biopsies displaying mosaicism is lower than expected, and it correlates differently depending on the type (whole chromosome versus segmental) and the level of mosaicism reported. Thus, in cases of low-/medium-level mosaicism (<50%), aneuploid cells would rarely involve the ICM and other regions. However, in high-level mosaics (≥50%), abnormal cells in the ICM should display higher prevalence, revealing more uniform aneuploidy in most embryos, representing a technical variation in the uniform aneuploidy range, and therefore might impair the live birth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Campos
- Geisinger Medical Center, Women’s Health Fertility Clinic, Danville, PA 17821, USA;
- GIREXX Fertility Clinics, C. de Cartagena, 258, 08025 Girona, Spain
| | - Romualdo Sciorio
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Steven Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy & Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia;
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Zhong W, Shen K, Xue X, Wang W, Wang W, Zuo H, Guo Y, Yao S, Sun M, Song C, Wang Q, Ruan Z, Yao X, Shang W. Single-cell multi-omics sequencing reveals chromosome copy number inconsistency between trophectoderm and inner cell mass in human reconstituted embryos after spindle transfer. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:2137-2153. [PMID: 37766497 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is the chromosome copy number of the trophectoderm (TE) of a human reconstituted embryos after spindle transfer (ST) representative of the inner cell mass (ICM)? SUMMARY ANSWER Single-cell multi-omics sequencing revealed that ST blastocysts have a higher proportion of cell lineages exhibiting intermediate mosaicism than conventional ICSI blastocysts, and that the TE of ST blastocysts does not represent the chromosome copy number of ICM. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) assumes that TE biopsies are representative of the ICM, but the TE and ICM originate from different cell lineages, and concordance between TE and ICM is not well-studied, especially in ST embryos. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We recruited 30 infertile women who received treatment at our clinic and obtained 45 usable blastocysts (22 from conventional ICSI and 23 reconstituted embryos after ST). We performed single-cell multi-omics sequencing on all blastocysts to predict and verify copy number variations (CNVs) in each cell. We determined the chromosome copy number of each embryo by analysing the proportion of abnormal cells in each blastocyst. We used the Bland-Altman concordance and the Kappa test to evaluate the concordance between TE and ICM in the both groups. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study was conducted at a public tertiary hospital in China, where all the embryo operations, including oocytes retrieval, ST, and ICSI, were performed in the embryo laboratory. We utilized single-cell multi-omics sequencing technology at the Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, to analyse the blastocysts. Transcriptome sequencing was used to predict the CNV of each cell through bioinformatics analysis, and the results were validated using the DNA methylation library of each cell to confirm chromosomal normalcy. We conducted statistical analysis and graphical plotting using R 4.2.1, SPSS 27, and GraphPad Prism 9.3. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mean age of the volunteers, the blastocyst morphology, and the developmental ratewere similar in ST and ICSI groups. The blastocysts in the ST group had some additional chromosomal types that were prone to variations beyond those enriched in the blastocysts of the ICSI group. Finally, both Bland-Altman concordance test and kappa concordancetest showed good chromosomal concordance between TE and ICM in the ICSI blastocysts (kappa = 0.659, P < 0.05), but not in ST blastocysts (P = 1.000), suggesting that the TE in reconstituted embryos is not representative of ICM. Gene functional annotation (GO and KEGG analyses) suggests that there may be new or additional pathways for CNV generation in ST embryos compared to ICSI embryos. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was mainly limited by the small sample size and the limitations of single-cell multi-omics sequencing technology. To select eligible single cells, some cells of the embryos were eliminated or not labelled, resulting in a loss of information about them. The findings of this study are innovative and exploratory. A larger sample size of human embryos (especially ST embryos) and more accurate molecular genetics techniques for detecting CNV in single cells are needed to validate our results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study justifies the routine clinical use of PGT-A in ICSI blastocysts, as we found that the TE is a good substitute for ICM in predicting chromosomal abnormalities. While PGT-A is not entirely accurate, our data demonstrate good clinical feasibility. This trial was able to provide correct genetic counselling to patients regarding the reliability of PGT-A. Regarding ST blastocysts, the increased mosaicism rate and the inability of the TE to represent the chromosomal copy number of the ICM are both biological characteristics that differentiate them from ICSI blastocysts. Currently, ST is not used clinically on a large scale to produce blastocysts. However, if ST becomes more widely used in the future, our study will be the first to demonstrate that the use of PGT-A in ST blastocysts may not be as accurate as PGT-A for ICSI blastocysts. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFA0107601) and the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFC1003003). The authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhong
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Kexin Shen
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohui Xue
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weizhou Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyang Zuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Guo
- Department of Biological Science, Dietrich School Of Art and Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Navy Clinical Medical School, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mingyue Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Chunlan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qihang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuolin Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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8
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Viotti M, Greco E, Grifo JA, Madjunkov M, Librach C, Cetinkaya M, Kahraman S, Yakovlev P, Kornilov N, Corti L, Biricik A, Cheng EH, Su CY, Lee MS, Bonifacio MD, Cooper AR, Griffin DK, Tran DY, Kaur P, Barnes FL, Zouves CG, Victor AR, Besser AG, Madjunkova S, Spinella F. Chromosomal, gestational, and neonatal outcomes of embryos classified as a mosaic by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:957-966. [PMID: 37532168 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the clinical risks associated with the transfer of embryos classified as a mosaic using preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. DESIGN Analysis of data collected between 2017 and 2023. SETTING Multicenter. PATIENTS Patients of infertility treatment. INTERVENTION Comparison of pregnancies resulting from embryos classified as euploid or mosaic using the 20%-80% interval in chromosomal intermediate copy numbers to define a mosaic result. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of spontaneous abortion, birth weight, length of gestation, incidence of birth defects, and chromosomal status during gestation. RESULTS Implanted euploid embryos had a significantly lower risk of spontaneous abortion compared with mosaic embryos (8.9% [n = 8,672; 95% confidence interval {CI95} 8.3, 9.5] vs. 22.2% [n = 914; CI95 19.6, 25.0]). Embryos with mosaicism affecting whole chromosomes (not segmental) had the highest risk of spontaneous abortion (27.6% [n = 395; CI95 23.2, 32.3]). Infants born from euploid, mosaic, and whole chromosome mosaic embryos had average birth weights and lengths of gestation that were not statistically different (3,118 g and 267 days [n = 488; CI95 3,067, 3,169, and 266, 268], 3052 g and 265 days [n = 488; CI95 2,993, 3,112, and 264,267], 3,159 g and 268 days [n = 194; CI95 3,070, 3,249, and 266,270], respectively). Out of 488 infants from mosaic embryo transfers (ETs), one had overt gross abnormalities as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most prenatal tests performed on pregnancies from mosaic ETs had normal results, and only three pregnancies produced prenatal test results reflecting the mosaicism detected at the embryonic stage (3 out of 250, 1.2%; CI95 0.25, 3.5). CONCLUSION Although embryos classified as mosaic experience higher rates of miscarriage than euploid embryos (with a particularly high frequency shortly after implantation), infants born of mosaic ETs are similar to infants of euploid ETs. Prenatal testing indicates that mosaicism resolves during most pregnancies, although this process is not perfectly efficient. In a small percentage of cases, the mosaicism persists through gestation. These findings can serve as risk-benefit considerations for mosaic ETs in the fertility clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Viotti
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Kindlabs, Kindbody, New York, New York.
| | - Ermanno Greco
- Villa Mafalda, Center For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - James A Grifo
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | - Mitko Madjunkov
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Clifford Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Pavel Yakovlev
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Co.Ltd. "Next Generation Clinic," Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay Kornilov
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Co.Ltd. "Next Generation Clinic," Moscow, Russia; Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Co.Ltd. "Next Generation Clinic," St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Laura Corti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anil Biricik
- Eurofins Genoma Group, Molecular Genetics Laboratories, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maw-Sheng Lee
- Lee Women's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Darren K Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Diane Y Tran
- Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Purvi Kaur
- Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Frank L Barnes
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Christo G Zouves
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Andrea R Victor
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California; Reproductive Medicine Associates of Long Island, Melville, New York
| | - Andria G Besser
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | - Svetlana Madjunkova
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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9
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Cimadomo D, Rienzi L, Conforti A, Forman E, Canosa S, Innocenti F, Poli M, Hynes J, Gemmell L, Vaiarelli A, Alviggi C, Ubaldi FM, Capalbo A. Opening the black box: why do euploid blastocysts fail to implant? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2023; 29:570-633. [PMID: 37192834 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A normal chromosomal constitution defined through PGT-A assessing all chromosomes on trophectoderm (TE) biopsies represents the strongest predictor of embryo implantation. Yet, its positive predictive value is not higher than 50-60%. This gap of knowledge on the causes of euploid blastocysts' reproductive failure is known as 'the black box of implantation'. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Several embryonic, maternal, paternal, clinical, and IVF laboratory features were scrutinized for their putative association with reproductive success or implantation failure of euploid blastocysts. SEARCH METHODS A systematic bibliographical search was conducted without temporal limits up to August 2021. The keywords were '(blastocyst OR day5 embryo OR day6 embryo OR day7 embryo) AND (euploid OR chromosomally normal OR preimplantation genetic testing) AND (implantation OR implantation failure OR miscarriage OR abortion OR live birth OR biochemical pregnancy OR recurrent implantation failure)'. Overall, 1608 items were identified and screened. We included all prospective or retrospective clinical studies and randomized-controlled-trials (RCTs) that assessed any feature associated with live-birth rates (LBR) and/or miscarriage rates (MR) among non-mosaic euploid blastocyst transfer after TE biopsy and PGT-A. In total, 41 reviews and 372 papers were selected, clustered according to a common focus, and thoroughly reviewed. The PRISMA guideline was followed, the PICO model was adopted, and ROBINS-I and ROB 2.0 scoring were used to assess putative bias. Bias across studies regarding the LBR was also assessed using visual inspection of funnel plots and the trim and fill method. Categorical data were combined with a pooled-OR. The random-effect model was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Between-study heterogeneity was addressed using I2. Whenever not suitable for the meta-analysis, the included studies were simply described for their results. The study protocol was registered at http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ (registration number CRD42021275329). OUTCOMES We included 372 original papers (335 retrospective studies, 30 prospective studies and 7 RCTs) and 41 reviews. However, most of the studies were retrospective, or characterized by small sample sizes, thus prone to bias, which reduces the quality of the evidence to low or very low. Reduced inner cell mass (7 studies, OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.27-0.52, I2 = 53%), or TE quality (9 studies, OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43-0.67, I2 = 70%), overall blastocyst quality worse than Gardner's BB-grade (8 studies, OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.67, I2 = 83%), developmental delay (18 studies, OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.49-0.63, I2 = 47%), and (by qualitative analysis) some morphodynamic abnormalities pinpointed through time-lapse microscopy (abnormal cleavage patterns, spontaneous blastocyst collapse, longer time of morula formation I, time of blastulation (tB), and duration of blastulation) were all associated with poorer reproductive outcomes. Slightly lower LBR, even in the context of PGT-A, was reported among women ≥38 years (7 studies, OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.75-1.00, I2 = 31%), while obesity was associated with both lower LBR (2 studies, OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.55-0.79, I2 = 0%) and higher MR (2 studies, OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.08-2.99, I2 = 52%). The experience of previous repeated implantation failures (RIF) was also associated with lower LBR (3 studies, OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.93, I2 = 0%). By qualitative analysis, among hormonal assessments, only abnormal progesterone levels prior to transfer were associated with LBR and MR after PGT-A. Among the clinical protocols used, vitrified-warmed embryo transfer was more effective than fresh transfer (2 studies, OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.05-2.33, I2 = 23%) after PGT-A. Lastly, multiple vitrification-warming cycles (2 studies, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.77, I2 = 50%) or (by qualitative analysis) a high number of cells biopsied may slightly reduce the LBR, while simultaneous zona-pellucida opening and TE biopsy allowed better results than the Day 3 hatching-based protocol (3 studies, OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.18-1.69, I2 = 0%). WIDER IMPLICATIONS Embryo selection aims at shortening the time-to-pregnancy, while minimizing the reproductive risks. Knowing which features are associated with the reproductive competence of euploid blastocysts is therefore critical to define, implement, and validate safer and more efficient clinical workflows. Future research should be directed towards: (i) systematic investigations of the mechanisms involved in reproductive aging beyond de novo chromosomal abnormalities, and how lifestyle and nutrition may accelerate or exacerbate their consequences; (ii) improved evaluation of the uterine and blastocyst-endometrial dialogue, both of which represent black boxes themselves; (iii) standardization/automation of embryo assessment and IVF protocols; (iv) additional invasive or preferably non-invasive tools for embryo selection. Only by filling these gaps we may finally crack the riddle behind 'the black box of implantation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Eric Forman
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Federica Innocenti
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Poli
- Centrum voor Kinderwens, Dijklander Hospital, Purmerend, The Netherlands
- Juno Genetics, Rome, Italy
| | - Jenna Hynes
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Gemmell
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alberto Vaiarelli
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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10
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Ijuin A, Ueno H, Hayama T, Miyai S, Miyakoshi A, Hamada H, Sueyoshi S, Tochihara S, Saito M, Hamanoue H, Takeshima T, Yumura Y, Miyagi E, Kurahashi H, Sakakibara H, Murase M. Mitochondrial DNA mutations can influence the post-implantation development of human mosaic embryos. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1215626. [PMID: 37635871 PMCID: PMC10451077 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1215626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Several healthy euploid births have been reported following the transfer of mosaic embryos, including both euploid and aneuploid blastomeres. This has been attributed to a reduced number of aneuploid cells, as previously reported in mice, but remains poorly explored in humans. We hypothesized that mitochondrial function, one of the most critical factors for embryonic development, can influence human post-implantation embryonic development, including a decrease of aneuploid cells in mosaic embryos. Methods: To clarify the role of mitochondrial function, we biopsied multiple parts of each human embryo and observed the remaining embryos under in vitro culture as a model of post-implantation development (n = 27 embryos). Karyotyping, whole mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing, and mtDNA copy number assays were performed on all pre- and post-culture samples. Results: The ratio of euploid embryos was significantly enhanced during in vitro culture, whereas the ratio of mosaic embryos was significantly reduced. Furthermore, post-culture euploid and culturable embryos had significantly few mtDNA mutations, although mtDNA copy numbers did not differ. Discussion: Our results indicate that aneuploid cells decrease in human embryos post-implantation, and mtDNA mutations might induce low mitochondrial function and influence the development of post-implantation embryos with not only aneuploidy but also euploidy. Analyzing the whole mtDNA mutation number may be a novel method for selecting a better mosaic embryo for transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akifumi Ijuin
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of OB and GYN, Yokohama City University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroe Ueno
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomonari Hayama
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of GYN, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miyai
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ai Miyakoshi
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Haru Hamada
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sumiko Sueyoshi
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of OB and GYN, Yokohama City University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shiori Tochihara
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Marina Saito
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Haruka Hamanoue
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Teppei Takeshima
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Etsuko Miyagi
- Department of OB and GYN, Yokohama City University School of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurahashi
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hideya Sakakibara
- Department of GYN, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mariko Murase
- Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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11
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Abstract
Embryo implantation in humans is interstitial, meaning the entire conceptus embeds in the endometrium before the placental trophoblast invades beyond the uterine mucosa into the underlying inner myometrium. Once implanted, embryo survival pivots on the transformation of the endometrium into an anti-inflammatory placental bed, termed decidua, under homeostatic control of uterine natural killer cells. Here, we examine the evolutionary context of embryo implantation and elaborate on uterine remodelling before and after conception in humans. We also discuss the interactions between the embryo and the decidualising endometrium that regulate interstitial implantation and determine embryo fitness. Together, this Review highlights the precarious but adaptable nature of the implantation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Muter
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Vincent J. Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260-4610, USA
| | - Rajiv C. McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jan J. Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
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12
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Kato K, Kuroda T, Yamadera-Egawa R, Ezoe K, Aoyama N, Usami A, Miki T, Yamamoto T, Takeshita T. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Recurrent Implantation Failure in Minimal Ovarian Stimulation Cycle for Women Aged 35-42 Years: Live Birth Rate, Developmental Follow-up of Children, and Embryo Ranking. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:974-983. [PMID: 36085548 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01073-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed at exploring the benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in ensuring a successful pregnancy in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes in the embryo and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Thirty-two patients who underwent PGT-A (18 in the RIF protocol and 14 in the RPL protocol) were enrolled in the study, and 2556 patients who did not undergo PGT-A during the same in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment period were enrolled as controls. All patients underwent minimal stimulation cycle IVF. In the RPL protocol, the live birth rate per embryo transfer (ET) and that per patient were higher with PGT-A (80.0% each) than without it (0% each; P = 0.0050), and the rate of miscarriages was lower with PGT-A than without it (20.0% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.0098). In the RIF protocol, there were no significant differences in the live birth rate per ET and in the rate of miscarriages between groups with and without PGT-A-90.0% vs. 69.2% (P = 0.2313) and 0% vs. 10.0% (P = 0.3297), respectively. None of the children whose mothers underwent PGT-A presented adverse findings at a 1.5-year developmental check-up. In conclusion, PGT-A in RPL is advantageous for improving the live birth rate per ET and that per patient in minimal stimulation cycle IVF; it reduces the rate of miscarriages. In addition, PGT-A might be more beneficial for embryo selection than the existing morphological grades of blastocysts, resulting in earlier conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Kato
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tomoko Kuroda
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rie Yamadera-Egawa
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Ezoe
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Aoyama
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akemi Usami
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Miki
- Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3 Nishishinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, 160-0023, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Yamamoto
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, 162-0054, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Takeshita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
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13
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Ceschin II, Ceschin AP, Joya MS, Mitsugi TG, Nishikawa LK, Krepischi AC, Okamoto OK. Functional assessment of donated human embryos for the generation of pluripotent embryonic stem cell lines. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:491-501. [PMID: 36737274 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can discarded embryos at blastocyst stage, donated to research because of genetic abnormalities and poor morphological quality, become a reliable source of human embryonic stem cell (HESC) lines? DESIGN This study was consecutively conducted with 23 discarded embryos that were donated to research between February 2020 and April 2021. All embryos, except one, were morphologically evaluated and underwent trophectoderm biopsy for preimplantation genetic testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and then vitrified. After warming, the embryos were placed in appropriate culture conditions for the generation of HESCs, which was functionally assessed with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry for pluripotency capacity and spontaneous in-vitro differentiation. Cytogenetic assessment of the HESC was conducted with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and micro array comparative genomic hybridization. RESULTS From the 23 embryos initially included, 17 survived warming, and 16 of them presented viability. Overall, the embryos presented poor morphological quality after warming. Only the previously untested embryo was capable of generating a new HESC line. Further characterization of this line revealed fully functional, euploid HESCs with preserved pluripotency, becoming a useful resource for research into human development and therapeutic investigation. CONCLUSIONS None of the donated blastocysts with poor morphological quality in association with genetic abnormalities detected by NGS had the capacity for further in-vitro expansion to originate pluripotent HESC lines. This finding seems to provide extra support to genetic counselling on the suitability of this type of embryo for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ianaê I Ceschin
- Human Genome and Stem Cells Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo (IB-USP), Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 321-05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil; Feliccità Instituto de Fertilidade, Rua Conselheiro Dantas, 1154-80220-191, Curitiba, Brazil.
| | - Alvaro P Ceschin
- Feliccità Instituto de Fertilidade, Rua Conselheiro Dantas, 1154-80220-191, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Maria S Joya
- Human Genome and Stem Cells Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo (IB-USP), Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 321-05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago G Mitsugi
- Human Genome and Stem Cells Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo (IB-USP), Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 321-05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucileine K Nishikawa
- Feliccità Instituto de Fertilidade, Rua Conselheiro Dantas, 1154-80220-191, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Ana Cv Krepischi
- Human Genome and Stem Cells Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo (IB-USP), Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 321-05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Oswaldo K Okamoto
- Human Genome and Stem Cells Research Center, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo (IB-USP), Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, 321-05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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Greco E, Yakovlev P, Kornilov N, Vyatkina S, Bogdanova D, Ermakova M, Tarasova Y, Tikhonov A, Pendina A, Biricik A, Sessa MT, Listorti I, Ronsini C, Greco PF, Victor A, Barnes F, Zouves C, Spinella F, Viotti M. Two clinical case reports of embryonic mosaicism identified with PGT-A persisting during pregnancy as true fetal mosaicism. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:315-323. [PMID: 36610460 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The health risks associated with transferring embryos classified as mosaic by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) are currently unknown. Such embryos produce PGT-A results indicating the presence of both euploid and aneuploid cells and have historically been deselected from transfer and grouped with uniformly aneuploid embryos as 'abnormal'. In recent years, numerous groups have reported the intentional transfer of mosaic embryos in the absence of uniformly euploid embryos, largely observing births of seemingly healthy babies. However, it remains to be understood whether the embryonic mosaicism invariably becomes resolved during the ensuing pregnancy, or whether the placenta and/or fetal tissues retain aneuploid cells, and if so to what potential clinical effect. Here, we report two cases of mosaicism persisting from the embryonic stage to the established pregnancy. Case 1 involved an embryonic low-level segmental mosaic loss in Chromosome (Chr) 1, which was confirmed in amniocentesis as well as in brain tissue of the products of conception. This pregnancy was terminated due to the chromosomal pathologies associated with 1p36 deletion syndrome, such as severe intellectual disability. Case 2 involved a low-level mosaic Chr 21 trisomy, which was confirmed with chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. The ensuing pregnancy was terminated after ultrasound identification of severe abnormalities in the placenta and fetus. Together, these two cases should be taken into account for risk-benefit assessments of prospective mosaic embryo transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ermanno Greco
- Villa Mafalda, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UniCamillus International University, Rome, Italy
| | - Pavel Yakovlev
- Next Generation Clinic, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay Kornilov
- Next Generation Clinic, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Moscow, Russia.,Next Generation Clinic, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Svetlana Vyatkina
- Next Generation Clinic, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria Bogdanova
- Next Generation Clinic, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Ermakova
- Medical Genetic Center of the Group of companies "Mother and Child", Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Tarasova
- Medical Genetic Center of the Group of companies "Mother and Child", Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei Tikhonov
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Pendina
- D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anil Biricik
- Eurofins Genoma Group, Molecular Genetics Laboratories, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Listorti
- Villa Mafalda, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Ronsini
- Dipartimento della Donna, del Bambino e di Chirurgia Generale e Specialistica, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Manuel Viotti
- Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, CA, USA.,Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, CA, USA
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Kakourou G, Mamas T, Vrettou C, Traeger-Synodinos J. An Update on Non-invasive Approaches for Genetic Testing of the Preimplantation Embryo. Curr Genomics 2022; 23:337-352. [PMID: 36778192 PMCID: PMC9878856 DOI: 10.2174/1389202923666220927111158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) aims to reduce the chance of an affected pregnancy or improve success in an assisted reproduction cycle. Since the first established pregnancies in 1990, methodological approaches have greatly evolved, combined with significant advances in the embryological laboratory. The application of preimplantation testing has expanded, while the accuracy and reliability of monogenic and chromosomal analysis have improved. The procedure traditionally employs an invasive approach to assess the nucleic acid content of embryos. All biopsy procedures require high technical skill, and costly equipment, and may impact both the accuracy of genetic testing and embryo viability. To overcome these limitations, many researchers have focused on the analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) at the preimplantation stage, sampled either from the blastocoel or embryo culture media, to determine the genetic status of the embryo non-invasively. Studies have assessed the origin of cfDNA and its application in non-invasive testing for monogenic disease and chromosomal aneuploidies. Herein, we discuss the state-of-the-art for modern non-invasive embryonic genetic material assessment in the context of PGT. The results are difficult to integrate due to numerous methodological differences between the studies, while further work is required to assess the suitability of cfDNA analysis for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kakourou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece,Address correspondence to this author at the Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece; Tel/Fax: +302107467467; E-mail:
| | - Thalia Mamas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Vrettou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Joanne Traeger-Synodinos
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, St. Sophia's Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece
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Brosens JJ, Bennett PR, Abrahams VM, Ramhorst R, Coomarasamy A, Quenby S, Lucas ES, McCoy RC. Maternal selection of human embryos in early gestation: Insights from recurrent miscarriage. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:14-24. [PMID: 35094946 PMCID: PMC9325922 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Compared to most mammals, human pregnancy is unusual in that it involves chromosomally diverse embryos, cyclical breakdown and regeneration of the uterine mucosa, and intimate integration of fetal and maternal cells at the uteroplacental interface. Not surprisingly, pregnancy often falters in early gestation. Whether these losses result in clinical miscarriages depends on the origins and impacts of chromosomal errors on fetal development and the ability of the decidualizing endometrium to engage in embryo biosensing and selection. Aneuploidy originating in oocytes during meiosis drives the age-related risk of miscarriage. By contrast, the frequency of endometrial cycles with an impaired decidual response may account for the stepwise increase in miscarriage rates with each pregnancy loss independently of maternal age. Additional physiological mechanisms operate in early gestation to ensure that most failing pregnancies are lost before vascular maternal-fetal connections are established by the end of the first trimester. Here, we summarise how investigations into the mechanisms that cause miscarriage led to new insights into the processes that govern maternal selection of human embryos in early gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.
| | - Phillip R Bennett
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Vikki M Abrahams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rosanna Ramhorst
- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales IQUIBICEN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Arri Coomarasamy
- Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Siobhan Quenby
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Emma S Lucas
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Rajiv C McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
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17
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De Rycke M, Capalbo A, Coonen E, Coticchio G, Fiorentino F, Goossens V, Mcheik S, Rubio C, Sermon K, Sfontouris I, Spits C, Vermeesch JR, Vermeulen N, Wells D, Zambelli F, Kakourou G. ESHRE survey results and good practice recommendations on managing chromosomal mosaicism. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2022:hoac044. [PMCID: PMC9637425 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
How should ART/preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) centres manage the detection of chromosomal mosaicism following PGT?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Thirty good practice recommendations were formulated that can be used by ART/PGT centres as a basis for their own policy with regards to the management of ‘mosaic’ embryos.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
The use of comprehensive chromosome screening technologies has provided a variety of data on the incidence of chromosomal mosaicism at the preimplantation stage of development and evidence is accumulating that clarifies the clinical outcomes after transfer of embryos with putative mosaic results, with regards to implantation, miscarriage and live birth rates, and neonatal outcomes.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
This document was developed according to a predefined methodology for ESHRE good practice recommendations. Recommendations are supported by data from the literature, a large survey evaluating current practice and published guidance documents. The literature search was performed using PubMed and focused on studies published between 2010 and 2022. The survey was performed through a web-based questionnaire distributed to members of the ESHRE special interest groups (SIG) Reproductive Genetics and Embryology, and the ESHRE PGT Consortium members. It included questions on ART and PGT, reporting, embryo transfer policy and follow-up of transfers. The final dataset represents 239 centres.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
The working group (WG) included 16 members with expertise on the ART/PGT process and chromosomal mosaicism. The recommendations for clinical practice were formulated based on the expert opinion of the WG, while taking into consideration the published data and results of the survey.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Eighty percent of centres that biopsy three or more cells report mosaicism, even though only 66.9% of all centres have validated their technology and only 61.8% of these have validated specifically for the calling of chromosomal mosaicism. The criteria for designating mosaicism, reporting and transfer policies vary significantly across the centres replying to the survey. The WG formulated recommendations on how to manage the detection of chromosomal mosaicism in clinical practice, considering validation, risk assessment, designating and reporting mosaicism, embryo transfer policies, prenatal testing and follow-up. Guidance is also provided on the essential elements that should constitute the consent forms and the genetic report, and that should be covered in genetic counselling. As there are several unknowns in chromosomal mosaicism, it is recommended that PGT centres monitor emerging data on the topic and adapt or refine their policy whenever new insights are available from evidence.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
Rather than providing instant standardized advice, the recommendations should help ART/PGT centres in developing their own policy towards the management of putative mosaic embryos in clinical practice.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This document will help facilitate a more knowledge-based approach for dealing with chromosomal mosaicism in different centres. In addition to recommendations for clinical practice, recommendations for future research were formulated. Following up on these will direct research towards existing research gaps with direct translation to clinical practice. Emerging data will help in improving guidance, and a more evidence-based approach of managing chromosomal mosaicism.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The WG received technical support from ESHRE. M.D.R. participated in the EQA special advisory group, outside the submitted work, and is the chair of the PGT WG of the Belgian society for human genetics. D.W. declared receiving salary from Juno Genetics, UK. A.C. is an employee of Igenomix, Italy and C.R. is an employee of Igenomix, Spain. C.S. received a research grant from FWO, Belgium, not related to the submitted work. I.S. declared being a Co-founder of IVFvision Ltd, UK. J.R.V. declared patents related to ‘Methods for haplotyping single-cells’ and ‘Haplotyping and copy number typing using polymorphic variant allelic frequencies’, and being a board member of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS) and International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD). K.S. reported being Chair-elect of ESHRE. The other authors had nothing to disclose.
DISCLAIMER
This Good Practice Recommendations (GPR) document represents the views of ESHRE, which are the result of consensus between the relevant ESHRE stakeholders and are based on the scientific evidence available at the time of preparation.
ESHRE GPRs should be used for information and educational purposes. They should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care, or be exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. They do not replace the need for application of clinical judgement to each individual presentation, or variations based on locality and facility type.
Furthermore, ESHRE GPRs do not constitute or imply the endorsement, or favouring, of any of the included technologies by ESHRE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martine De Rycke
- Centre for Medical Genetics, UZ Brussel, Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Edith Coonen
- Departments of Clinical Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre , Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht University Medical Centre GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, , Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Claudia Spits
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joris Robert Vermeesch
- Laboratory for Cytogenetics and Genome Research, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Dagan Wells
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford , Oxford, UK
- Juno Genetics , Oxford, UK
| | | | - Georgia Kakourou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Choremio Research Laboratory, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens , Greece
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Sharma K, Uraji J, Ammar OF, Ali ZE, Liperis G, Modi D, Ojosnegros S, Shahbazi MN, Fraire-Zamora JJ. #ESHREjc report: renewing the old: novel stem cell research for unsolved ART problems. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2224-2227. [PMID: 35881064 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kashish Sharma
- ART Fertility Clinics LLC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Julia Uraji
- IVF Laboratory, MVZ TFP Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Omar Farhan Ammar
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zoya E Ali
- Research & Development Department, Hertility Health Limited, London, UK
| | - George Liperis
- Westmead Fertility Centre, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Samuel Ojosnegros
- Bioengineering in Reproductive Health, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
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Cimadomo D, Marconetto A, Trio S, Chiappetta V, Innocenti F, Albricci L, Erlich I, Ben-Meir A, Har-Vardi I, Kantor B, Sakov A, Coticchio G, Borini A, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L. Human blastocyst spontaneous collapse is associated with worse morphological quality and higher degeneration and aneuploidy rates: a comprehensive analysis standardized through artificial intelligence. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2291-2306. [PMID: 35939563 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the factors associated with human blastocyst spontaneous collapse and the consequences of this event? SUMMARY ANSWER Approximately 50% of blastocysts collapsed, especially when non-viable, morphologically poor and/or aneuploid. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Time-lapse microscopy (TLM) is a powerful tool to observe preimplantation development dynamics. Lately, artificial intelligence (AI) has been harnessed to automate and standardize such observations. Here, we adopted AI to comprehensively portray blastocyst spontaneous collapse, namely the phenomenon of reduction in size of the embryo accompanied by efflux of blastocoel fluid and the detachment of the trophectoderm (TE) from the zona pellucida (ZP). Although the underlying causes are unknown, blastocyst spontaneous collapse deserves attention as a possible marker of reduced competence. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION An observational study was carried out, including 2348 TLM videos recorded during preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A, n = 720) cycles performed between January 2013 and December 2020. All embryos in the analysis at least reached the time of starting blastulation (tSB), 1943 of them reached full expansion, and were biopsied and then vitrified. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS ICSI, blastocyst culture, TE biopsy without Day 3 ZP drilling, comprehensive chromosome testing and vitrification were performed. The AI software automatically registered tSB and time of expanding blastocyst (tEB), start and end time of each collapse, time between consecutive collapses, embryo proper area, percentage of shrinkage, embryo:ZP ratio at embryo collapse, time of biopsy (t-biopsy) and related area of the fully (re-)expanded blastocyst before biopsy, time between the last collapse and biopsy. Blastocyst morphological quality was defined according to both Gardner's criteria and an AI-generated implantation score. Euploidy rate per biopsied blastocyst and live birth rate (LBR) per euploid single embryo transfer (SET) were the main outcomes. All significant associations were confirmed through regression analyses. All couple, cycle and embryo main features were also investigated for possible associations with blastocyst spontaneous collapse. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE At least one collapsing embryo (either viable or subsequently undergoing degeneration) was recorded in 559 cycles (77.6%) and in 498 cycles (69.2%) if considering only viable blastocysts. The prevalence of blastocyst spontaneous collapse after the tSB, but before the achievement of full expansion, was 50% (N = 1168/2348), irrespective of cycle and/or couple characteristics. Blastocyst degeneration was 13% among non-collapsing embryos, while it was 18%, 20%, 26% and 39% among embryos collapsing once, twice, three times or ≥4 times, respectively. The results showed that 47.3% (N = 918/1943) of the viable blastocysts experienced at least one spontaneous collapse (ranging from 1 up to 9). Although starting from similar tSB, the number of spontaneous collapses was associated with a delay in both tEB and time of biopsy. Of note, the worse the quality of a blastocyst, the more and the longer its spontaneous collapses. Blastocyst spontaneous collapse was significantly associated with lower euploidy rates (47% in non-collapsing and 38%, 32%, 31% and 20% in blastocysts collapsing once, twice, three times or ≥4 times, respectively; multivariate odds ratio 0.78, 95%CI 0.62-0.98, adjusted P = 0.03). The difference in the LBR after euploid vitrified-warmed SET was not significant (46% and 39% in non-collapsing and collapsing blastocysts, respectively). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION An association between chromosomal mosaicism and blastocyst collapse cannot be reliably assessed on a single TE biopsy. Gestational and perinatal outcomes were not evaluated. Other culture strategies and media should be tested for their association with blastocyst spontaneous collapse. Future studies with a larger sample size are needed to investigate putative impacts on clinical outcomes after euploid transfers. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These results demonstrate the synergistic power of TLM and AI to increase the throughput of embryo preimplantation development observation. They also highlight the transition from compaction to full blastocyst as a delicate morphogenetic process. Blastocyst spontaneous collapse is common and associates with inherently lower competence, but additional data are required to deepen our knowledge on its causes and consequences. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) There is no external funding to report. I.E., A.B.-M., I.H.-V. and B.K. are Fairtility employees. I.E. and B.K. also have stock or stock options of Fairtility. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anabella Marconetto
- University Institute of Reproductive Medicine, National University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Assaf Ben-Meir
- Fairtilty Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel.,IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Iris Har-Vardi
- Fairtilty Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Fertility and IVF unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Rienzi
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
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Nikitina TV, Lebedev IN. Stem Cell-Based Trophoblast Models to Unravel the Genetic Causes of Human Miscarriages. Cells 2022; 11:1923. [PMID: 35741051 PMCID: PMC9221414 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Miscarriage affects approximately 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies, and 1-3% of couples experience pregnancy loss recurrently. Approximately 50-60% of miscarriages result from chromosomal abnormalities, whereas up to 60% of euploid recurrent abortions harbor variants in candidate genes. The growing number of detected genetic variants requires an investigation into their role in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Since placental defects are the main cause of first-trimester miscarriages, the purpose of this review is to provide a survey of state-of-the-art human in vitro trophoblast models that can be used for the functional assessment of specific abnormalities/variants implicated in pregnancy loss. Since 2018, when primary human trophoblast stem cells were first derived, there has been rapid growth in models of trophoblast lineage. It has been found that a proper balance between self-renewal and differentiation in trophoblast progenitors is crucial for the maintenance of pregnancy. Different responses to aneuploidy have been shown in human embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages. Stem cell-based models provide a powerful tool to explore the effect of a specific aneuploidy/variant on the fetus through placental development, which is important, from a clinical point of view, for deciding on the suitability of embryos for transfer after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana V. Nikitina
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
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Chavli E, van den Born M, Eleveld C, Boter M, van Marion R, Hoefsloot L, Laven J, Baart E, Van Opstal D. Chromosomal mosaicism in human blastocysts: a cytogenetic comparison of trophectoderm and inner cell mass after NGS. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:867-877. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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22
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Regin M, Spits C, Sermon K. On the origins and fate of chromosomal abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos: an unsolved riddle. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6566308. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
About 8 out of 10 human embryos obtained in vitro harbour chromosomal abnormalities of either meiotic or mitotic origin. Abnormalities of mitotic origin lead to chromosomal mosaicism, a phenomenon which has sparked much debate lately as it confounds results obtained through preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). PGT-A in itself is still highly debated, not only on the modalities of its execution, but also on whether it should be offered to patients at all.
We will focus on post-zygotic chromosomal abnormalities leading to mosaicism. First, we will summarize what is known of the rates of chromosomal abnormalities at different developmental stages. Next, based on the current understanding of the origin and cellular consequences of chromosomal abnormalities, which is largely based on studies on cancer cells and model organisms, we will offer a number of hypotheses on which mechanisms may be at work in early human development. Finally, and very briefly, we will touch upon the impact our current knowledge has on the practice of PGT-A. What is the level of abnormal cells that an embryo can tolerate before it loses its potential for full development? And is blastocyst biopsy as harmless as it seems?
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Regin
- Research group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Claudia Spits
- Research group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
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Vaiarelli A, Cimadomo D, Gennarelli G, Guido M, Alviggi C, Conforti A, Livi C, Revelli A, Colamaria S, Argento C, Giuliani M, De Angelis C, Matteo M, Canosa S, D’Alfonso A, Cimadomo V, Rienzi L, Ubaldi FM. Second stimulation in the same ovarian cycle: an option to fully-personalize the treatment in poor prognosis patients undergoing PGT-A. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:663-673. [PMID: 35128583 PMCID: PMC8995212 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02409-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our primary objective was to assess whether immediately undergoing a second stimulation in the same ovarian cycle (DuoStim) for advanced-maternal-age and/or poor-ovarian-reserve (AMA/POR) patients obtaining ≤ 3 blastocysts for preimplantation-genetic-testing-for-aneuploidies (PGT-A) is more efficient than the conventional-approach. METHODS All AMA/POR patients obtaining ≤ 3 blastocysts after conventional-stimulation between 2017 and 2019 were proposed DuoStim, and 143 couples accepted (DuoStim-group) and were matched for the main confounders to 143 couples who did not accept (conventional-group). GnRH-antagonist protocol with recombinant-gonadotrophins and agonist trigger, intra-cytoplasmatic-sperm-injection (ICSI) with ejaculated sperm, PGT-A and vitrified-warmed euploid single-blastocyst-transfer(s) were performed. The primary outcome was the cumulative-live-birth-delivery-rate per intention-to-treat (CLBdR per ITT) within 1 year. If not delivering, the conventional-group had 1 year to undergo another conventional-stimulation. A cost-effectiveness analysis was also conducted. RESULTS The CLBdR was 10.5% in the conventional-group after the first attempt. Only 12 of the 128 non-pregnant patients returned (165 ± 95 days later; drop-out = 116/128,90.6%), and 3 delivered. Thus, the 1-year CLBdR was 12.6% (N = 18/143). In the DuoStim-group, the CLBdR was 24.5% (N = 35/143; p = 0.01), 2 women delivered twice and 13 patients have other euploid blastocysts after a LB (0 and 2 in the conventional-group). DuoStim resulted in an incremental-cost-effectiveness-ratio of 23,303€. DuoStim was costlier and more effective in 98.7% of the 1000 pseudo-replicates generated through bootstrapping, and the cost-effectiveness acceptability curves unveiled that DuoStim would be more cost-effective than the conventional-approach at a willingness-to-pay threshold of 23,100€. CONCLUSIONS During PGT-A treatments in AMA/POR women, DuoStim can be suggested in progress to rescue poor blastocyst yields after conventional-stimulation. It might indeed prevent drop-out or further aging between attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Vaiarelli
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197, Rome, Italy.
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Guido
- grid.158820.60000 0004 1757 2611MeSVA Department, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conforti
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Revelli
- GeneraLife IVF, Livet, Turin Italy ,grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Obstetrics and Gynaecology SCDU1, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Sant’Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Colamaria
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Cindy Argento
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Maddalena Giuliani
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo De Angelis
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical, and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Operative Unit of Obstetrics, Fabia Mater Clinic, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Matteo
- grid.10796.390000000121049995Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Physiopathology and Reproductive Unit, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Angela D’Alfonso
- grid.158820.60000 0004 1757 2611MeSVA Department, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rienzi
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Ubaldi
- grid.487136.f0000 0004 1756 2878GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris, 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy
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Lebedev IN, Zhigalina DI. From contemplation to classification of chromosomal mosaicism in human preimplantation embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2833-2848. [PMID: 34518954 PMCID: PMC8609036 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal mosaicism is a hallmark of early human embryo development. The last decade yielded an enormous amount of information about diversity and prevalence of mosaicism in preimplantation embryos due to progress in preimplantation genetic testing of aneuploidies (PGT-A) based exclusively on molecular karyotyping of trophectoderm biopsy. However, the inner cell mass karyotype is still missing for mosaic embryos affecting the success rate of assisted reproductive medicine. Here, a classification model of chromosomal mosaicism is proposed based on the analysis of the primary zygote karyotype, the timing and types of primary and secondary chromosome segregation errors, and the distribution of mosaic cell clones between different embryonic and extraembryonic compartments of the blastocyst. Five basic principles for mosaicism analysis are introduced, namely, the estimation of the primary zygote karyotype, the investigation of additional sample point, the requirement of the second time point analysis, the delineating of reciprocity of chromosome segregation, and comprehensive chromosome screening at the single-cell level. The suggested model allows the prediction of the inner cell mass karyotype of the blastocyst and its developmental potential based on information from trophectoderm biopsy and non-invasive PGT-A using blastocoele fluid sample or spent culture medium as additional sample and time points for analysis and considering the reciprocity as a basic process in chromosome segregation errors between daughter cells in postzygotic cell divisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor N. Lebedev
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ushaika Street 10, Tomsk, 634050 Russia
| | - Daria I. Zhigalina
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ushaika Street 10, Tomsk, 634050 Russia
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Viotti M, McCoy RC, Griffin DK, Spinella F, Greco E, Madjunkov M, Madjunkova S, Librach CL, Victor AR, Barnes FL, Zouves CG. Let the data do the talking: the need to consider mosaicism during embryo selection. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:1212-1219. [PMID: 34627598 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal mosaicism, the coexistence of cells with different chromosomal content, has been documented in human embryos for 3 decades. Early versions of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) did not measure mosaicism, either because typically only a single cell was assessed or because the technique could not accurately identify it. Although this led to a straightforward diagnosis (an embryo was considered either normal or abnormal), it simply avoided the issue and, in hindsight, may have led to numerous misdiagnoses with negative clinical consequences. Modern PGT-A evaluates a multicellular biopsy specimen with techniques capable of recognizing intermediate copy number signals for chromosomes or subchromosomal regions. We are, therefore, inevitably confronted with the issue of mosaicism and the challenge of managing embryos producing such results in the clinic. Here we discuss recent data showing that not only mosaicism in general, but specific features of mosaicism detected with PGT-A, are associated with variable clinical outcomes. The conclusion is evident: mosaicism should be considered for more informed and improved embryo selection in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Viotti
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California.
| | - Rajiv C McCoy
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Darren K Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ermanno Greco
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Villa Mafalda, Rome, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UniCamillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy
| | - Mitko Madjunkov
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Svetlana Madjunkova
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Clifford L Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea R Victor
- Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California; School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Frank L Barnes
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Christo G Zouves
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
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Cimadomo D, Fabozzi G, Dovere L, Maggiulli R, Albricci L, Innocenti F, Soscia D, Giancani A, Vaiarelli A, Guido M, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L. Clinical, obstetric and perinatal outcomes after vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer are independent of cryo-storage duration. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:221-227. [PMID: 34862135 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION The study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the impact of cryo-storage duration on clinical, obstetric and perinatal outcomes after vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer. DESIGN This was an observational study including 2688 vitrified-warmed euploid single blastocyst transfers that was conducted at a private IVF centre between May 2013 and March 2020. It included a total of 1884 women (age 38 ± 3 years) undergoing at least one transfer after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies. The euploid blastocysts transferred were clustered into seven groups according to the cryo-storage duration between vitrification and warming: ≤60 days (n = 646; control group), 61-90 days (n = 599), 91-180 days (n = 679), 181-360 days (n = 405), 361-720 days (n = 144), 721-1080 days (n = 118) and >1080 days (n = 97). The primary outcome was the live birth rate (LBR) per transfer. The secondary outcomes were miscarriage rate, obstetric and perinatal issues. The data were adjusted for confounders through logistic or linear regressions. RESULTS A significantly lower LBR was reported for transfers performed within 91-180 days (n = 291/679, 42.9%; P = 0.017), 181-360 days (n = 169/405, 41.7%; P = 0.016) and 361-720 days (n = 57/144, 39.6%; P = 0.034) versus ≤60 days (n = 319/646, 49.4%). However, this was mainly due to top-quality embryos being transferred first when more euploid blastocysts were available, thereby leaving lower quality ones for subsequent procedures. Indeed, the multivariate odds ratios adjusted for confounders showed similar results across all cryo-storage duration clusters. No difference was reported also for all secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Cryo-storage duration even beyond 3 years from blastocyst vitrification does not affect clinical, obstetric and perinatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Dovere
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Daria Soscia
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maurizio Guido
- MeSVA Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rienzi
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
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Takahashi H, Takahashi K, Goto M, Hirakawa T, Hasegawa H, Shitara A, Iwasawa T, Togashi K, Makino K, Shirasawa H, Miura H, Sato W, Kumazawa Y, Terada Y. Consistency between chromosomal status analysis of biopsied human blastocyst trophectoderm cells and whole blastocyst cells. Reprod Med Biol 2021; 20:444-450. [PMID: 34646072 PMCID: PMC8499595 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the consistency between results of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy performed on trophectoderm (TE) cells and remaining blastocyst cells. METHODS TE biopsy was performed on 29 surplus cryopreserved human blastocysts. Biopsy samples and remaining blastocysts were processed using the VeriSeq PGS kit, and chromosomal statuses were compared by next-generation sequencing. RESULTS Discordance was observed in the chromosomal status of 11 out of 29 blastocysts between the biopsied TE and remaining blastocysts. Concordance was observed in 11 of 12 blastocysts classified as euploid by TE biopsy and in 7 of 17 blastocysts classified as aneuploid. There was 100% concordance (7/7) in cases diagnosed as aneuploid with no mosaicism by TE biopsy. However, discordance was observed in all 10 cases showing mosaicism or partial chromosomal abnormality. CONCLUSION Chromosomal status analysis based on TE biopsy does not accurately reflect the chromosomal status of the whole blastocyst. The chromosomal status is usually the same between the TE and remaining blastocyst cells in cases diagnosed as euploid or aneuploid with no mosaicism. However, mosaic blastocysts and those with other types of structural rearrangements have a higher risk of inconsistency, warranting caution during embryo selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harunori Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kazumasa Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Mayumi Goto
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Takeo Hirakawa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Hisataka Hasegawa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Akihiro Shitara
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Takuya Iwasawa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kazue Togashi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Kenichi Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Hiromitsu Shirasawa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Miura
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Wataru Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Yukiyo Kumazawa
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
| | - Yukihiro Terada
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAkita University Graduate School of MedicineAkitaJapan
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Silvestri G, Canedo-Ribeiro C, Serrano-Albal M, Labrecque R, Blondin P, Larmer SG, Marras G, Tutt DA, Handyside AH, Farré M, Sinclair KD, Griffin DK. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy Improves Live Birth Rates with In Vitro Produced Bovine Embryos: A Blind Retrospective Study. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092284. [PMID: 34571932 PMCID: PMC8465548 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one million in vitro produced (IVP) cattle embryos are transferred worldwide each year as a way to improve the rates of genetic gain. The most advanced programmes also apply genomic selection at the embryonic stage by SNP genotyping and the calculation of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs). However, a high proportion of cattle embryos fail to establish a pregnancy. Here, we demonstrate that further interrogation of the SNP data collected for GEBVs can effectively remove aneuploid embryos from the pool, improving live births per embryo transfer (ET). Using three preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) approaches, we assessed 1713 cattle blastocysts in a blind, retrospective analysis. Our findings indicate aneuploid embryos have a 5.8% chance of establishing a pregnancy and a 5.0% chance of given rise to a live birth. This compares to 59.6% and 46.7% for euploid embryos (p < 0.0001). PGT-A improved overall pregnancy and live birth rates by 7.5% and 5.8%, respectively (p < 0.0001). More detailed analyses revealed donor, chromosome, stage, grade, and sex-specific rates of error. Notably, we discovered a significantly higher incidence of aneuploidy in XY embryos and, as in humans, detected a preponderance of maternal meiosis I errors. Our data strongly support the use of PGT-A in cattle IVP programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Silvestri
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Carla Canedo-Ribeiro
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
| | - María Serrano-Albal
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Remi Labrecque
- L’Alliance Boviteq Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2T 5H1, Canada; (R.L.); (P.B.); (S.G.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Patrick Blondin
- L’Alliance Boviteq Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2T 5H1, Canada; (R.L.); (P.B.); (S.G.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Steven G. Larmer
- L’Alliance Boviteq Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2T 5H1, Canada; (R.L.); (P.B.); (S.G.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Gabriele Marras
- L’Alliance Boviteq Inc., Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2T 5H1, Canada; (R.L.); (P.B.); (S.G.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Desmond A.R. Tutt
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK; (D.A.R.T.); (K.D.S.)
| | - Alan H. Handyside
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Marta Farré
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
| | - Kevin D. Sinclair
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK; (D.A.R.T.); (K.D.S.)
| | - Darren K. Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK; (G.S.); (C.C.-R.); (M.S.-A.); (A.H.H.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Maternal body mass index associates with blastocyst euploidy and live birth rates: the tip of an iceberg? Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:645-654. [PMID: 34446374 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does maternal preconceptional body mass index (BMI) associate with mean blastocyst euploidy rate (m-ER) per patient and live birth rate (LBR) after vitrified-warmed euploid single embryo transfer (SET)? DESIGN Observational study conducted between April 2013 and March 2020 at a private IVF clinic, involving 1811 Caucasian women undergoing trophectoderm biopsy and comprehensive chromosome testing. The outcomes of 1125 first vitrified-warmed euploid SET were also analysed. Patients were clustered as normal weight (BMI 18.5-25; n = 1392 performing 859 SET), underweight (BMI <18.5; n = 160 performing 112 SET) and overweight (BMI >25; n = 259 performing 154 SET). m-ER per patient was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were all clinical outcomes per euploid SET. All data were adjusted for confounders through regression analyses. RESULTS The m-ER per patient decreases as maternal BMI increases from 17 up to 22-23 before reaching a plateau. A linear regression adjusted for maternal age confirmed this moderate association (unstandardized coefficient B: -0.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.1 to -0.1%, P = 0.02). All clinical outcomes were similar between normal weight and underweight women. Overweight women, instead, showed higher miscarriage rate per clinical pregnancy (n = 20/75, 26.7% versus n = 67/461, 14.5%; odds ratio [OR] adjusted for blastocyst quality and day of full blastulation: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6, P = 0.01) and lower LBR per SET (n = 55/154, 35.7% versus n = 388/859, 45.2%; OR adjusted for blastocyst quality and day of full blastulation: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.96, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION These data indicate a need for future research on more sensitive metrics to assess body fat mass and distribution, as well as on the mechanisms leading to lipotoxicity, thereby impairing embryo competence and/or endometrial receptivity. Overweight women should be informed of their higher risk for miscarriage and, whenever possible, encouraged to lose weight, especially before transfer.
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Molecular Drivers of Developmental Arrest in the Human Preimplantation Embryo: A Systematic Review and Critical Analysis Leading to Mapping Future Research. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158353. [PMID: 34361119 PMCID: PMC8347543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental arrest of the preimplantation embryo is a multifactorial condition, characterized by lack of cellular division for at least 24 hours, hindering the in vitro fertilization cycle outcome. This systematic review aims to present the molecular drivers of developmental arrest, focusing on embryonic and parental factors. A systematic search in PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane-Central-Database was performed in January 2021. A total of 76 studies were included. The identified embryonic factors associated with arrest included gene variations, mitochondrial DNA copy number, methylation patterns, chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic profile and morphological features. Parental factors included, gene variation, protein expression levels and infertility etiology. A valuable conclusion emerging through critical analysis indicated that genetic origins of developmental arrest analyzed from the perspective of parental infertility etiology and the embryo itself, share common ground. This is a unique and long-overdue contribution to literature that for the first time presents an all-inclusive methodological report on the molecular drivers leading to preimplantation embryos’ arrested development. The variety and heterogeneity of developmental arrest drivers, along with their inevitable intertwining relationships does not allow for prioritization on the factors playing a more definitive role in arrested development. This systematic review provides the basis for further research in the field.
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Coticchio G, Barrie A, Lagalla C, Borini A, Fishel S, Griffin D, Campbell A. Plasticity of the human preimplantation embryo: developmental dogmas, variations on themes and self-correction. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 27:848-865. [PMID: 34131722 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND IVF for the treatment of infertility offers unique opportunities to observe human preimplantation development. Progress in time-lapse technology (TLT) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has greatly expanded our knowledge of developmental patterns leading to a healthy pregnancy or developmental failure. These technologies have also revealed unsuspected plastic properties of the preimplantation embryo, at macromolecular, cellular and multicellular levels. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review focuses on the emerging concept of plasticity of the human embryo as revealed by recent evidence derived from TLT and PGT, calling for an updated and more precise redefinition of the boundaries between normal and abnormal development. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search the MEDLINE database for peer-reviewed English-language original articles and reviews concerning human preimplantation development. Cross-searches were performed by adopting 'fertilisation', 'pronucleus', 'cleavage', 'multinucleation', 'compaction', 'embryo', 'preimplantation genetic testing', 'aneuploidy', mosaicism', 'micromanipulation', 'time-lapse microscopy' and 'IVF/assisted reproduction' as main terms. The most relevant publications, i.e. those concerning major phenomena occurring during normal and abnormal development-with a focus on the human species-were assessed and discussed critically. OUTCOMES Advances in TLT and PGT have revealed an astonishing plasticity and self-correction ability of the human preimplantation embryo in vitro. At fertilisation, an abnormal number of pronuclei do not always result in the formation of an aneuploid blastocyst. Animal studies and preliminary human observations indicate that combining of parental genomes may occur at the early cleavage stage, if not at fertilisation. Multinucleation occurs with much higher prevalence than previously thought and may be corrected at later cleavage stages. Irregular cleavage (multichotomous, direct, rapid and reverse cleavages) can generate chromosome segregation abnormalities that often lead to developmental arrest, but that sporadically may be confined to cells excluded from the blastocyst, and may sometimes result in viable pregnancy. Mitotic errors can generate mosaic blastocysts, but alternatively normal embryos may form from selective death or clonal depletion of aneuploid cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Deviations from developmental dogmas and the increasing evidence of plasticity of the human embryo challenge current embryological notions and suggest the need to write new rules governing cell cycle, cell determination and chromosome segregation during preimplantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Simon Fishel
- CARE Fertility Group, Northampton, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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Cimadomo D, Capalbo A, Dovere L, Tacconi L, Soscia D, Giancani A, Scepi E, Maggiulli R, Vaiarelli A, Rienzi L, Ubaldi FM. Leave the past behind: women's reproductive history shows no association with blastocysts' euploidy and limited association with live birth rates after euploid embryo transfers. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:929-940. [PMID: 33608730 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there an association between patients' reproductive history and the mean euploidy rates per biopsied blastocysts (m-ER) or the live birth rates (LBRs) per first single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfers? SUMMARY ANSWER Patients' reproductive history (as annotated during counselling) showed no association with the m-ER, but a lower LBR was reported after euploid blastocyst transfer in women with a history of repeated implantation failure (RIF). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Several studies have investigated the association between the m-ER and (i) patients' basal characteristics, (ii) ovarian stimulation strategy and dosage, (iii) culture media and conditions, and (iv) embryo morphology and day of full blastocyst development. Conversely, the expected m-ER due to women's reproductive history (previous live births (LBs), miscarriages, failed IVF cycles and transfers, and lack of euploid blastocysts among prior cohorts of biopsied embryos) still needs investigations. Yet, this information is critical to counsel new patients about a first cycle with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), but even more so after former adverse outcomes to prevent treatment drop-out. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This observational study included all patients undergoing a comprehensive chromosome testing (CCT)-based PGT-A cycle with at least one biopsied blastocyst in the period April 2013-December 2019 at a private IVF clinic (n = 2676 patients undergoing 2676 treatments and producing and 8151 blastocysts). m-ER were investigated according to women's reproductive history of LBs: no/≥1, miscarriages: no/1/>1; failed IVF cycles: no/1/2/>2, and implantation failures after previous transfers: no/1/2/>2. Among the 2676 patients included in this study, 440 (16%) had already undergone PGT-A before the study period; the data from these patients were further clustered according to the presence or absence of euploid embryo(s) in their previous cohort of biopsied blastocysts. The clinical outcomes per first single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfers (n =1580) were investigated according to the number of patients' previous miscarriages and implantation failures. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The procedures involved in this study included ICSI, blastocyst culture, trophectoderm biopsy without hatching in Day 3, CCT-based PGT-A without reporting segmental and/or putative mitotic (or mosaic) aneuploidies and single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as linear regressions and generalised linear models among ranges of maternal age at oocyte retrieval were performed to identify significant differences for continuous variables. Fisher's exact tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were instead used for categorical variables. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Maternal age at oocyte retrieval was the only variable significantly associated with the m-ER. We defined five clusters (<35 years: 66 ± 31%; 35-37 years: 58 ± 33%; 38-40 years: 43 ± 35%; 40-42 years: 28 ± 34%; and >42 years: 17 ± 31%) and all analyses were conducted among them. The m-ER did not show any association with the number of previous LBs, miscarriages, failed IVF cycles or implantation failures. Among patients who had already undergone PGT-A before the study period, the m-ER did not associate with the absence (or presence) of euploid blastocysts in their former cohort of biopsied embryos. Regarding clinical outcomes of the first single vitrified-warmed euploid blastocyst transfer, the implantation rate was 51%, the miscarriage rate was 14% and the LBR was 44%. This LBR was independent of the number of previous miscarriages, but showed a decreasing trend depending on the number of previous implantation failures, reaching statistical significance when comparing patients with >2 failures and patients with no prior failure (36% versus 47%, P < 0.01; multivariate-OR adjusted for embryo quality and day of full blastocyst development: 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.86, P < 0.01). No such differences were shown for previous miscarriage rates. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The sample size for treatments following a former completed PGT-A cycle should be larger in future studies. The data should be confirmed from a multicentre perspective. The analysis should be performed also in non-PGT cycles and/or including patients who did not produce blastocysts, in order to investigate a putative association between women's reproductive history with outcomes other than euploidy and LBRs. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These data are critical to counsel infertile couples before, during and after a PGT-A cycle, especially to prevent treatment discontinuation due to previous adverse reproductive events. Beyond the 'maternal age effect', the causes of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and RIF are likely to be endometrial receptivity and selectivity issues; transferring euploid blastocysts might reduce the risk of a further miscarriage, but more information beyond euploidy are required to improve the prognosis in case of RIF. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No funding was received and there are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa Dovere
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Tacconi
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Soscia
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Laura Rienzi
- GeneraLife IVF, Clinica Valle Giulia, 00197 Rome, Italy
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Kaing A, Rosen MP, Quinn MM. Perceptions, motivations and decision regret surrounding preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:2047-2057. [PMID: 32756971 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there a difference in level of decision regret following IVF treatment between those who choose to complete or not complete preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy [PGT-A]? SUMMARY ANSWER Approximately one-third of the participants expressed moderate to severe regret (MSR) following their decision to either complete or not complete PGT-A; notably, decision regret was higher in those who chose not to complete PGT-A, primarily driven by significantly higher regret scores in those that experienced a miscarriage after not testing. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous research has found that 39% of participants who completed PGT-A expressed some degree of decision regret and that negative clinical outcomes, such as lack of euploid embryos, negative pregnancy test or miscarriage, were associated with a higher level of decision regret. To date, there are no published studies assessing the possible disparity in decision regret surrounding PGT-A in a population of IVF patients that either chose to pursue PGT-A or not. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION An anonymous online survey was distributed to 1583 patients who underwent IVF with or without PGT-A at a single university institution between January 2016 and December 2017. In total, 335 women accessed the survey, 220 met eligibility criteria and 130 completed the full study survey. Six participants were excluded due to refusal of medical record review, and nine participants were excluded after record review due to not meeting eligibility based on cycle start date or completing only embryo banking without attempting transfer. One hundred and fifteen participants were included in the final analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Of the 115 participants included, 55 (48%) completed PGT-A and 60 (52%) did not complete PGT-A. The online survey included four sections: Demographics; Perceptions about PGT-A risks and benefits [scale from 0 (absolutely not true) to 100 (absolutely true)]; Decision-making factors [scale from 0 (not important) to 100 (very important)]; and Brehaut Decision Regret Scale [DRS] [range 0-100, with >25 indicating MSR]. A retrospective chart review was conducted to confirm study eligibility and collect cumulative clinical outcomes of consenting participants who completed the survey. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Demographics of the PGT-A and no PGT-A cohorts were similar, with the majority of respondents being Caucasian or Asian, unaffiliated with any religion and with a graduate or professional degree. The two groups differed significantly in mean age, with the PGT-A group being slightly older (mean ± SD: 37 ± 3.7 versus 36 ± 3.4; P = 0.048), and in rate of miscarriages, with fewer participants in the PGT-A cohort experiencing a miscarriage (5% versus 22%; P = 0.012). The majority of participants in both PGT-A and no PGT-A cohorts strongly believed in the purported benefits of PGT-A, including that it decreases the risk of birth defects (median 82 versus 77; P = 0.046), improves the chances of having a healthy baby (median 89 versus 74; P = 0.002) and selects the best embryo for transfer (median 85 versus 80; P = 0.049). When asked to report their motivating factors for decision-making, both groups cited physician counseling as important (median 70 versus 71; P = 0.671); however, the PGT-A cohort was more strongly motivated by a desire to not transfer abnormal embryos (median 84 versus 53; P = 0.0001). Comparison of DRS score between those who did or did not undergo PGT-A showed significantly higher median DRS score after not completing PGT-A (median 15 versus 0; P = 0.013). There was a significantly higher proportion of participants who did not complete PGT-A that expressed mild (36% versus 16%) and MSR (32% versus 24%) compared to those who completed PGT-A (χ2 = 9.03, df = 2; P = 0.011). Sub-group analyses of DRS scores by outcomes of clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth revealed that the higher DRS score in those not completing PGT-A was driven by a large increase in regret noted by those with history of a miscarriage (median 45 versus 0; P = 0.018). Multivariate logistic regression modeling found no evidence that any specific demographic factor, clinical outcome or perception/motivation surrounding PGT-A was independently predictive of increased risk for MSR. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The retrospective nature of data collection incurs the possibility of sampling and recall bias. As only 59% of eligible respondents completed the full survey, it is possible that mainly those with very positive or negative sentiments following treatment felt compelled to complete their response. This bias, however, would apply to the whole of the population, and not simply to those who did or did not complete PGT-A. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The proportion of participants expressing any degree of decision regret in this PGT-A cohort was 40%, which is comparable to that shown in prior research. This study adds to prior data by also assessing decision regret experienced by those who went through IVF without PGT-A, and showed that 68% expressed some level of regret with their decision-making. These results should not be interpreted to mean that all patients should opt for PGT-A to pre-emptively mitigate their risk of regret. Instead, it suggests that drivers of decision regret are likely multifactorial and unique to the experience of one's personal expectations regarding PGT-A, motivations for pursuing or not pursuing it and resultant clinical outcome. Highlighting the complex nature of regret, these data should encourage physicians to more carefully consider individual patient values toward risk-taking or risk-averse behavior, as well as their own positions regarding PGT-A. Until there are clear recommendations regarding utilization of PGT-A, a strong collaboration between physicians and genetic counselors is recommended to educate patients on the risks and potential benefits of PGT-A in a balanced and individualized manner. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No funding was utilized for study completion and the authors have no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kaing
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell P Rosen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Molly M Quinn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Tang M, Popovic M, Stamatiadis P, Van der Jeught M, Van Coster R, Deforce D, De Sutter P, Coucke P, Menten B, Stoop D, Boel A, Heindryckx B. Germline nuclear transfer in mice may rescue poor embryo development associated with advanced maternal age and early embryo arrest. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:1562-1577. [PMID: 32613230 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can pronuclear transfer (PNT) or maternal spindle transfer (ST) be applied to overcome poor embryo development associated with advanced maternal age or early embryo arrest in a mouse model? SUMMARY ANSWER Both PNT and ST may have the potential to restore embryonic developmental potential in a mouse model of reproductive ageing and embryonic developmental arrest. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Germline nuclear transfer (NT) techniques, such as PNT and ST, are currently being applied in humans to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases. Yet, there is also growing interest in the translational use of NT for treating infertility and improving IVF outcomes. Nevertheless, direct scientific evidence to support such applications is currently lacking. Moreover, it remains unclear which infertility indications may benefit from these novel assisted reproductive technologies. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We applied two mouse models to investigate the potential of germline NT for overcoming infertility. Firstly, we used a model of female reproductive ageing (B6D2F1 mice, n = 155), with ages ranging from 6 to 8 weeks (young), 56 (aged) to 70 weeks (very-aged), corresponding to a maternal age of <30, ∼36 and ∼45 years in humans, respectively. Secondly, we used NZB/OlaHsd female mice (7-14 weeks, n = 107), as a model of early embryo arrest. This mouse strain exhibits a high degree of two-cell block. Metaphase II (MII) oocytes and zygotes were retrieved following superovulation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Ovarian reserve was assessed by histological analysis in the reproductive-aged mice. Mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm) was measured by JC-1 staining in MII oocytes, while spindle-chromosomal morphology was examined by confocal microscopy. Reciprocal ST and PNT were performed by transferring the meiotic spindle or pronuclei (PN) from unfertilised or fertilised oocytes (after ICSI) to enucleated oocytes or zygotes between aged or very-aged and young mice. Similarly, NT was also conducted between NZB/OlaHsd (embryo arrest) and B6D2F1 (non-arrest control) mice. Finally, the effect of cytoplasmic transfer (CT) was examined by injecting a small volume (∼5%) of cytoplasm from the oocytes/zygotes of young (B6D2F1) mice to the oocytes/zygotes of aged or very-aged mice or embryo-arrest mice. Overall, embryonic developmental rates of the reconstituted PNT (n = 572), ST (n = 633) and CT (n = 336) embryos were assessed to evaluate the efficiency of these techniques. Finally, chromosomal profiles of individual NT-generated blastocysts were evaluated using next generation sequencing. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Compared to young mice, the ovarian reserve in aged and very-aged mice was severely diminished, reflected by a lower number of ovarian follicles and a reduced number of ovulated oocytes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, we reveal that the average △Ψm in both aged and very-aged mouse oocytes was significantly reduced compared to young mouse oocytes (P < 0.001). In contrast, the average △Ψm in ST-reconstructed oocytes (very-aged spindle and young cytoplast) was improved in comparison to very-aged mouse oocytes (P < 0.001). In addition, MII oocytes from aged and very-aged mice exhibited a higher rate of abnormalities in spindle assembly (P < 0.05), and significantly lower fertilisation (60.7% and 45.3%) and blastocyst formation rates (51.4% and 38.5%) following ICSI compared to young mouse oocytes (89.7% and 87.3%) (P < 0.001). Remarkably, PNT from zygotes obtained from aged or very-aged mice to young counterparts significantly improved blastocyst formation rates (74.6% and 69.2%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Similarly, both fertilisation and blastocyst rates were significantly increased after ST between aged and young mice followed by ICSI (P < 0.05). However, we observed no improvement in embryo development rates when performing ST from very-aged to young mouse oocytes following ICSI (P > 0.05). In the second series of experiments, we primarily confirmed that the majority (61.8%) of in vivo zygotes obtained from NZB/OlaHsd mice displayed two-cell block during in vitro culture, coinciding with a significantly reduced blastocyst formation rate compared to the B6D2F1 mice (13.5% vs. 90.7%; P < 0.001). Notably, following the transfer of PN from the embryo-arrest (NZB/OlaHsd) zygotes to enucleated non-arrest (B6D2F1) counterparts, most reconstructed zygotes developed beyond the two-cell stage, leading to a significantly increased blastocyst formation rate (89.7%) (P < 0.001). Similar findings were obtained after implementing ST between NZB/OlaHsd and B6D2F1 mice, followed by ICSI. Conversely, the use of CT did not improve embryo development in reproductive-age mice nor in the embryo-arrest mouse model (P > 0.05). Surprisingly, chromosomal analysis revealed that euploidy rates in PNT and ST blastocysts generated following the transfer of very-aged PN to young cytoplasts and very-aged spindles to young cytoplasts were comparable to ICSI controls (with young mouse oocytes). A high euploidy rate was also observed in the blastocysts obtained from either PNT or ST between young mice. Conversely, the transfer of young PN and young spindles into very-aged cytoplasts led to a higher rate of chromosomal abnormalities in both PNT and ST blastocysts. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The limited number of blastocysts analysed warrants careful interpretation. Furthermore, our observations should be cautiously extrapolated to humans given the inherent differences between mice and women in regards to various biological processes, including centrosome inheritance. The findings suggest that ST or PNT procedures may be able to avoid aneuploidies generated during embryo development, but they are not likely to correct aneuploidies already present in some aged MII oocytes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the potential of PNT and ST in the context of advanced maternal age and embryonic developmental arrest in a mouse model. Our data suggest that PNT, and to a lesser extent ST, may represent a novel reproductive strategy to restore embryo development for these indications. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) M.T. is supported by grants from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) (Grant no. 201506160059) and the Special Research Fund from Ghent University (Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, BOF) (Grant no. 01SC2916 and no. 01SC9518). This research is also supported by the FWO-Vlaanderen (Flemish fund for scientific research, Grant no. G051017N, G051516N and G1507816N). The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tang
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - M Popovic
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - P Stamatiadis
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - M Van der Jeught
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - R Van Coster
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - D Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - P De Sutter
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - P Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - B Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - D Stoop
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - A Boel
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - B Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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De Munck N, Bayram A, Elkhatib I, Liñán A, Arnanz A, Melado L, Lawrenz B, Fatemi MH. Segmental duplications and monosomies are linked to in vitro developmental arrest. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2183-2192. [PMID: 33742344 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02147-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To verify which genetic abnormalities prevent embryos to blastulate in a stage-specific time. METHODS A single center retrospective study was performed between April 2016 and January 2017. Patients requiring Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A) by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) were included. All embryos were cultured in a time-lapse imaging system and single blastomere biopsy was performed on day 3 of development. Segmental duplications and deletions as well as whole chromosome monosomies and trisomies were registered. Embryo arrest was defined if the embryo failed to blastulate 118 h post-injection. A logistic regression model was applied using the time to blastulate as the response variable and the different mutations as explanatory variables. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Of the 285 biopsied cleavage stage embryos, 103 (36.1%) were euploid, and 182 (63.9%) were aneuploid. There was a significant difference in the developmental arrest between euploid and aneuploid embryos (8.7% versus 42.9%; p = 0.0001). Segmental duplications and whole chromosome monosomies were found to have a significant effect on developmental arrest (p = 0.0163 and p = 0.0075), while trisomies and segmental deletions had no effect on developmental arrest. In case of segmental duplications, an increase of one extra segmental duplication increases the odd of arrest by 159%. For whole chromosome monosomies, the odd will only increase by 29% for every extra chromosomal monosomy. Both chromosomal abnormalities remained significant after adding age as an explanatory variable to the model (p = 0.014 and p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Day 3 cleavage stage embryos with segmental duplications or monosomies have a significantly decreased chance to reach the blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- N De Munck
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - A Bayram
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - I Elkhatib
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - A Liñán
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - A Arnanz
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - L Melado
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - B Lawrenz
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Obstetrical Department, Women´s University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - M H Fatemi
- ART Fertility Clinics, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Viotti M, Victor AR, Barnes FL, Zouves CG, Besser AG, Grifo JA, Cheng EH, Lee MS, Horcajadas JA, Corti L, Fiorentino F, Spinella F, Minasi MG, Greco E, Munné S. Using outcome data from one thousand mosaic embryo transfers to formulate an embryo ranking system for clinical use. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:1212-1224. [PMID: 33685629 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study how the attributes of mosaicism identified during preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy relate to clinical outcomes, in order to formulate a ranking system of mosaic embryos for intrauterine transfer. DESIGN Compiled analysis. SETTING Multi-center. PATIENT(S) A total of 5,561 euploid blastocysts and 1,000 mosaic blastocysts used in clinical transfers in patients undergoing fertility treatment. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Implantation (gestational sac), ongoing pregnancy, birth, and spontaneous abortion (miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation). RESULT(S) The euploid group had significantly more favorable rates of implantation and ongoing pregnancy/birth (OP/B) compared with the combined mosaic group or the mosaic group affecting only whole chromosomes (implantation: 57.2% vs. 46.5% vs. 41.8%; OP/B: 52.3% vs. 37.0% vs. 31.3%), as well as lower likelihood of spontaneous abortion (8.6% vs. 20.4% vs. 25%). Whole-chromosome mosaic embryos with level (percent aneuploid cells) <50% had significantly more favorable outcomes than the ≥50% group (implantation: 44.5% vs. 30.4%; OP/B: 36.1% vs. 19.3%). Mosaic type (nature of the aneuploidy implicated in mosaicism) affected outcomes, with a significant correlation between number of affected chromosomes and unfavorable outcomes. This ranged from mosaicism involving segmental abnormalities to complex aneuploidies affecting three or more chromosomes (implantation: 51.6% vs. 30.4%; OP/B: 43.1% vs. 20.8%). Combining mosaic level, type, and embryo morphology revealed the order of subcategories regarding likelihood of positive outcome. CONCLUSION(S) This compiled analysis revealed traits of mosaicism identified with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy that affected outcomes in a statistically significant manner, enabling the formulation of an evidence-based prioritization scheme for mosaic embryos in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Viotti
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California.
| | - Andrea R Victor
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California
| | - Frank L Barnes
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Christo G Zouves
- Zouves Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Foster City, California; Zouves Fertility Center, Foster City, California
| | - Andria G Besser
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | - James A Grifo
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Maw-Sheng Lee
- Lee Women's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Chung Shan Medical University, Institute of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Laura Corti
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Giulia Minasi
- European Hospital, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy; Villa Mafalda, Center For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Greco
- European Hospital, Centre For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy; Villa Mafalda, Center For Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
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Yin B, Zhang H, Xie J, Wei Y, Zhang C, Meng L. Validation of preimplantation genetic tests for aneuploidy (PGT-A) with DNA from spent culture media (SCM): concordance assessment and implication. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:41. [PMID: 33673853 PMCID: PMC7936457 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00714-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spent culture medium (SCM) as a source of DNA for preimplantation genetic tests aneuploidy (PGT-A) has been widely discussed. METHODS Seventy-five blastocysts that were donated for research provided a unique possibility in which multiple specimens, including trophectoderm (TE) biopsy, SCM, and paired corresponding whole blastocyst (WB) specimens from the same blastocyst source, could be utilized for the purpose of this preclinical validation. RESULTS To conduct a validation ploidy concordance assessment, we evaluated the full chromosomal concordance rates between SCM and WB (SCM-to-WB), and between TE and WB (TE-to-WB) as well as sensitivity, specificity and overall diagnostic accuracy. 78.67% (59/75) of NGS results in the SCM group were interpretable, a significantly lower percentage than their corresponding TE and WB groups. This discrepancy manifests itself in intrinsically low quantity and poor integrity DNA from SCM. Subsequently, remarkable differences in full concordance rates (including mosaicism, and segmental aneuploidies) are seen as follows: 32.2% (SCM-to-WB, 19/59) and 69.33% (TE-to-WB, 52/75), (p < 0.001). In such cases, full concordance rates were 27.27% (15/55) in SCM-to-WB, and, 76% (57/75) in TE-to-WB (p < 0.001). Collectively, the NGS data from SCM also translated into lower sensitivities, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), overall diagnostic accuracies, and higher Negative Likelihood Ratio (NLR). CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that DNA is detectable in the majority of SCM samples. Individual chromosomal aberration, such as segmental aneuploidy and mosaicism, can be quantitatively and qualitatively measured. However, TE still provides a more accurate and reliable high-throughput methodology for PGT-A. Meanwhile, cell-free DNA in SCM reporting lacks uniform diagnostic interpretations. Considering that this test is meant to determine which embryos are relegated to be discarded, PGT-A with cell-free DNA in SCM should not be permitted to be applied in routine clinical settings for diagnosis purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoli Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Huijuan Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Juanke Xie
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Yubao Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
| | - Li Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
- Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
- Incinta Fertility Center, Torrance, California, 90503, USA.
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Shitara A, Takahashi K, Goto M, Takahashi H, Iwasawa T, Onodera Y, Makino K, Miura H, Shirasawa H, Sato W, Kumazawa Y, Terada Y. Cell-free DNA in spent culture medium effectively reflects the chromosomal status of embryos following culturing beyond implantation compared to trophectoderm biopsy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246438. [PMID: 33571233 PMCID: PMC7877764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This prospective study evaluated the accuracy of non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) using cell-free DNA in spent culture medium, as well as that of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) using trophectoderm (TE) biopsy after culturing beyond implantation. Twenty frozen blastocysts donated by 12 patients who underwent IVF at our institution were investigated. Of these, 10 were frozen on day 5 and 10 on day 6. Spent culture medium and TE cells were collected from each blastocyst after thawing, and the embryos were cultured in vitro for up to 10 days. The outgrowths after culturing beyond implantation were sampled and subjected to chromosome analysis using next-generation sequencing. Chromosomal concordance rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), false-positive rate (FPR), and false-negative rate (FNR) of niPGT-A and PGT-A against each outgrowth were analyzed. The concordance rate between the niPGT-A and outgrowth samples was 9/16 (56.3%), and the concordance rate between the PGT-A and outgrowth samples was 7/16 (43.8%). NiPGT-A exhibited 100% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity, 88.9% PPV, 100% NPV, 12.5% FPR, and 0% FNR. PGT-A exhibited 87.5% sensitivity, 77.8% specificity, 87.5% PPV, 75% NPV, 14.3% FPR, and 22.2% FNR. NiPGT-A may be more accurate than PGT-A in terms of ploidy diagnostic accuracy in outgrowths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Shitara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Kazumasa Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Mayumi Goto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Harunori Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Takuya Iwasawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Yohei Onodera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Kenichi Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Shirasawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Wataru Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Yukiyo Kumazawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Terada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hondo, Akita, Japan
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40
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The Technological Advances in Embryo Selection and Genetic Testing: A Look Back at the Evolution of Aneuploidy Screening and the Prospects of Non-Invasive PGT. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed2010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, in 1978, researchers and clinicians have sought ways to improve pregnancy outcomes through embryo selection. In the 1990s, blastomere biopsy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were developed in human embryos for the assessment of aneuploidy and translocations. Limitations in the number of chromosomes that could be assayed with FISH lead to the development of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH); however, pregnancy rates overall were not improved. The later development of trophectoderm biopsy with comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) technologies, as well as the subsequent development of next-generation sequencing (NGS), have shown much greater promise in improving pregnancy and live birth rates. Recently, many studies are focusing on the utilization of non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT) in an effort to assess embryo ploidy without exposing embryos to additional interventions.
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41
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Humm KC, Frankfurter D. The road to validating preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy; are we there yet? Fertil Steril 2021; 115:585-586. [PMID: 33558020 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K C Humm
- The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
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42
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Cimadomo D, Capalbo A, Scarica C, Sosa Fernandez L, Rienzi L, Ciriminna R, Minasi MG, Novelli A, De Santis L, Zuccarello D. When embryology meets genetics: the definition of developmentally incompetent preimplantation embryos (DIPE)-the consensus of two Italian scientific societies. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:319-331. [PMID: 33236289 PMCID: PMC7884494 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A clear definition of developmentally incompetent preimplantation embryo (DIPE) in literature is still missing, while several scientific societies are discussing this challenging topic. From both a clinical and scientific perspective, the identification of embryos unfit for reproductive purpose is crucial. This aim should be pursued in light of all diagnostic technologies for embryo evaluation, encompassing also genetic analyses, of recent implementation in IVF. The Italian context is characterized by an unusual scenario: embryos can be discarded only if not viable and cannot be used for research purposes either. Therefore, thousands of embryos, diagnosed as affected and/or aneuploid as resulting from preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and clinically not utilizable, are cryopreserved and stored indefinitely, with important psychological, legal, and financial implications. With the aim of updating the definition of DIPE, also on the basis of the embryo genetic status, the Italian Society of Embryology, Reproduction and Research (SIERR) and the Italian Society of Human Genetic (SIGU) reviewed the literature on this topic, found a consensus, and produced a list of relevant criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- GeneraLife IVF centers, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. de Notaris 2b, 00197, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Catello Scarica
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Casa di Cura Villa Salaria in Partnership with Institut Marques, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Laura Rienzi
- GeneraLife IVF centers, Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. de Notaris 2b, 00197, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Novelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, IRCCS-Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia De Santis
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, IVF Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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43
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Li J, Liu Y, Qian Y, Zhang D. Noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing in assisted reproductive technology: current state and future perspectives. J Genet Genomics 2020; 47:723-726. [PMID: 33674238 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Invasive genetic screening of pre-implantation embryos via biopsied trophectoderm (TE) cells has been in use for more than 20 years, while its benefits in selecting euploid embryos remain controversial. Recent advances in the ability to process embryonic cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blastocoel fluid (BF) and spent culture media (SCM) of blastocysts in a manner similar to that of a biopsied TE sample provide a potential alternative holding great promise for obtaining cytogenetic information of the embryos without intrusive biopsy of traditional biopsy-based pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). Several studies have reported even higher diagnostic accuracy in non-invasive PGT (ni-PGT) than conventional PGT. However, there are still several technical challenges to be overcome before ni-PGT can be accepted as a reliable genomic information source of embryo. In this review, we have summarized the emergence and current state of ni-PGT, and discussed our own perspectives on their limitations and future prospect. There is still a long way to go before truly wide clinical application of ni-PGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Yifeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Yuli Qian
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education) and Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China; Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
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44
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Cimadomo D, Rienzi L, Capalbo A, Rubio C, Innocenti F, García-Pascual CM, Ubaldi FM, Handyside A. The dawn of the future: 30 years from the first biopsy of a human embryo. The detailed history of an ongoing revolution. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:453-473. [PMID: 32441746 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Following early studies showing no adverse effects, cleavage stage biopsy by zona drilling using acid Tyrode's solution, and removal of single blastomeres for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and identification of sex in couples at risk of X-linked disease, was performed by Handyside and colleagues in late 1989, and pregnancies reported in 1990. This method was later used for specific diagnosis of monogenic conditions, and a few years later also for chromosomal structural and/or numerical impairments, thereby establishing a valuable alternative option to prenatal diagnosis. This revolutionary approach in clinical embryology spread worldwide, and several other embryo biopsy strategies developed over three decades in a process that is still ongoing. The rationale of this narrative review is to outline the different biopsy approaches implemented across the years in the workflow of the IVF clinics that provided PGT: their establishment, the first clinical experiences, their downsides, evolution, improvement and standardization. The history ends with a glimpse of the future: minimally/non-invasive PGT and experimental embryo micromanipulation protocols. This grand theme review outlines a timeline of the evolution of embryo biopsy protocols, whose implementation is increasing worldwide together with the increasing application of PGT techniques in IVF. It represents a vade mecum especially for the past, present and upcoming operators and experts in this field to (re)live this history from its dawn to its most likely future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- Clinica Valle Giulia, Genera Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, Genera Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix Italy, Marostica, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Anatomiche, Istologiche, Medico Legali e dell'Apparato Locomotore, Sezione Istologia ed Embriologia Medica, University of Rome 'Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | - Carmen Rubio
- R&D Department, Igenomix and Incliva, Valencia, Spain
| | - Federica Innocenti
- Clinica Valle Giulia, Genera Center for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alan Handyside
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
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45
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Marin D, Xu J, Treff NR. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: A review of published blastocyst reanalysis concordance data. Prenat Diagn 2020; 41:545-553. [PMID: 32920823 PMCID: PMC8259107 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A) reduces miscarriage risk, increases the success of IVF, shortens time to pregnancy, and reduces multiple gestation rates without compromising outcomes. The progression of PGT‐A has included common application of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) from single nucleotide polymorphism microarray, quantitative real‐time PCR, and array comparative hybridization platforms of analysis. Additional putative advances in PGT‐A capability include classifying embryos as mosaic and predicting the presence of segmental imbalance. A critical component in the process of technical validation of these advancements involves evaluation of concordance between reanalysis results and initial testing results. While many independent studies have investigated the concordance of results obtained from the remaining embryo with the original PGT‐A diagnosis, compilation and systematic analysis of published data has not been performed. Here, we review results from 26 primary research articles describing concordance in 1271 human blastocysts from 2260 pairwise comparisons. Results illustrate significantly higher discordance from PGT‐A methods which utilize NGS and include prediction of mosaicism or segmental imbalance. These results suggest caution when considering new iterations PGT‐A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Marin
- Genomic Prediction, North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jia Xu
- Genomic Prediction, North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nathan R Treff
- Genomic Prediction, North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.,Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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46
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Rodrigo L, Clemente-Císcar M, Campos-Galindo I, Peinado V, Simón C, Rubio C. Characteristics of the IVF Cycle that Contribute to the Incidence of Mosaicism. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11101151. [PMID: 33007801 PMCID: PMC7600993 DOI: 10.3390/genes11101151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly sensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms applied to preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) allow the classification of mosaicism in trophectoderm biopsies. However, the incidence of mosaicism reported by these tests can be affected by a wide number of analytical, biological, and clinical factors. With the use of a proprietary algorithm for automated diagnosis of aneuploidy and mosaicism, we retrospectively analyzed a large series of 115,368 trophectoderm biopsies from 27,436 PGT-A cycles to determine whether certain biological factors and in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices influence the incidence of overall aneuploidy, whole uniform aneuploidy, mosaicism, and TE biopsies with only segmental aneuploidy. Older female and male patients showed higher rates of high-mosaic degree and whole uniform aneuploidies and severe oligozoospermic patients had higher rates of mosaicism and only segmental aneuploidies. Logistic regression analysis identified a positive effect of female age but a negative effect of embryo vitrification on the incidence of overall aneuploid embryos. Female age increased whole uniform aneuploidy rates but decreased only segmental aneuploidy and mosaicism, mainly low-mosaics. Conversely, higher ovarian response decreased whole uniform aneuploidy rates but increased only segmental aneuploidies. Finally, embryo vitrification decreased whole uniform aneuploidy rates but increased mosaicism, mainly low-mosaics, compared to PGT-A cycles with fresh oocytes. These results could be useful for clinician’s management of the IVF cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Rodrigo
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing Department, Igenomix, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (I.C.-G.); (V.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-96-390-53-10
| | | | | | - Vanessa Peinado
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing Department, Igenomix, 46980 Valencia, Spain; (I.C.-G.); (V.P.)
| | - Carlos Simón
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia/Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (INCLIVA), 46016 Valencia, Spain;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Head of Scientific Advisory Board, Igenomix and Igenomix Foundation, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carmen Rubio
- Research & Development Department, Igenomix and Igenomix Foundation, 46980 Valencia, Spain;
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47
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Simpson JL, Rechitsky S. Preimplantation genetic testing to reduce preterm births in assisted reproductive technology. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2020; 150:34-40. [PMID: 32524593 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The 10% rate of preterm birth rate worldwide has not been proved amenable to reduction. Avoiding multiple embryo transfer in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) using in vitro fertilization is one unassailable method. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to select only a single euploid embryo for transfer is one unequivocal way, maintaining 50%-60% pregnancy rates while avoiding twins. Contemporary methodology entails trophectoderm biopsy of a 5-6-day blastocyst, and cryopreservation of biopsied embryos while awaiting analysis by next generation sequencing. Embryo biopsy is safe, analytic validity for chromosomal analysis high, and global access to PGT high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe L Simpson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Reproductive Genetic Innovations, Northbrook, IL, USA
| | - Svetlana Rechitsky
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.,Reproductive Genetic Innovations, Northbrook, IL, USA
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48
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Chen J, Jia L, Li T, Guo Y, He S, Zhang Z, Su W, Zhang S, Fang C. Diagnostic efficiency of blastocyst culture medium in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing. F S Rep 2020; 2:88-94. [PMID: 34223278 PMCID: PMC8244311 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of spent blastocyst culture medium (BCM) in noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT) by comparing the karyotype concordance with corresponding inner cell mass (ICM) among initial trophectoderm (TE) biopsy, TE re-biopsy, and BCM sampling. Design Re-analysis aneuploid/mosaic blastocysts donated for research by couples. Setting Institutional in vitro fertilization center. Patient(s) A total of 12 couples donated their blastocysts, which had previously been diagnosed as aneuploid or mosaic by initial TE-biopsy preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) for research. Intervention(s) A total of 26 frozen−thawed blastocysts were re-analyzed by TE re-biopsy, ICM biopsy, and the collection of spent BCM. Main Outcome Measure(s) Karyotype concordance rates. Result(s) For 23 embryos diagnosed as aneuploid by initial TE biopsy, 78.3% of initial TE samples, 87.0% of TE re-biopsies samples, and 78.3% of BCM samples were concordant with corresponding ICM samples, and for three mosaic embryos, the concordance rates with ICM of these three groups were 0%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. With the corresponding ICM result as the true result, sensitivity of both niPGT-A and initial TE were 100%; however, the false-positive rate (FPR) of initial TE was higher than that of niPGT-A (100% vs. 0). Conclusion(s) niPGT-A using BCM had diagnostic efficiency similar to that of TE-biopsy PGT-A. In the case of mosaic embryos, niPGT-A using BCM may be more reliable for predicting karyotypes of ICM than initial TE biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jia
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Li
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingchun Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujing He
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenlong Su
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihui Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Fang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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49
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Handyside AH, McCollin A, Summers MC, Ottolini CS. Copy number analysis of meiotic and postzygotic mitotic aneuploidies in trophectoderm cells biopsied at the blastocyst stage and arrested embryos. Prenat Diagn 2020; 41:525-535. [PMID: 32833230 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) by copy number analysis is now widely used to select euploid embryos for transfer. Whole or partial chromosome aneuploidy can arise in meiosis, predominantly female meiosis, or in the postzygotic, mitotic divisions during cleavage and blastocyst formation, resulting in chromosome mosaicism. Meiotic aneuploidies are almost always lethal, however, the clinical significance of mitotic aneuploidies detected by PGT-A is not fully understood and healthy live births have been reported following transfer of mosaic embryos. Here, we used single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping of both polar bodies and embryo samples to identify meiotic aneuploidies and compared copy number changes for meiotic and presumed mitotic aneuploidies in trophectoderm cells biopsied at the blastocyst stage and arrested embryos. PGT-A detected corresponding full copy number changes (≥70%) for 36/37 (97%) maternal meiotic aneuploidies. The number of presumed mitotic copy number changes detected exceeded those of meiotic origin. Although mainly in the mosaic range, some of these mitotic aneuploidies had copy number changes ≥70% and would have been identified as full aneuploidies. Interestingly, many arrested embryos had multiple mitotic aneuploidies across a broad range of copy number changes, which may have arisen through tripolar spindle and other mitotic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael C Summers
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.,London Women's Clinic, London, UK
| | - Christian S Ottolini
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.,London Women's Clinic, London, UK.,The Evewell, London, UK
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50
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Shahbazi MN, Wang T, Tao X, Weatherbee BAT, Sun L, Zhan Y, Keller L, Smith GD, Pellicer A, Scott RT, Seli E, Zernicka-Goetz M. Developmental potential of aneuploid human embryos cultured beyond implantation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3987. [PMID: 32778678 PMCID: PMC7418029 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17764-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes, is a major cause of early pregnancy loss in humans. Yet, the developmental consequences of specific aneuploidies remain unexplored. Here, we determine the extent of post-implantation development of human embryos bearing common aneuploidies using a recently established culture platform. We show that while trisomy 15 and trisomy 21 embryos develop similarly to euploid embryos, monosomy 21 embryos exhibit high rates of developmental arrest, and trisomy 16 embryos display a hypo-proliferation of the trophoblast, the tissue that forms the placenta. Using human trophoblast stem cells, we show that this phenotype can be mechanistically ascribed to increased levels of the cell adhesion protein E-CADHERIN, which lead to premature differentiation and cell cycle arrest. We identify three cases of mosaicism in embryos diagnosed as full aneuploid by pre-implantation genetic testing. Our results present the first detailed analysis of post-implantation development of aneuploid human embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta N Shahbazi
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Tianren Wang
- Foundation for Embryonic Competence, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA
| | - Xin Tao
- Foundation for Embryonic Competence, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA
| | - Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Li Sun
- Foundation for Embryonic Competence, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA
| | - Yiping Zhan
- Foundation for Embryonic Competence, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA
| | - Laura Keller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Gary D Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1301 E Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- University of Valencia, Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Av. Blasco Ibanez, 15, Valencia, 46010, Spain
- IVIRMA Roma, Largo Ildebrando Pizzetti, 1, Rome, 00197, Italy
| | - Richard T Scott
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Science, 125 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
- IVIRMA New Jersey, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA.
| | - Emre Seli
- IVIRMA New Jersey, 140 Allen Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, USA.
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Sciences, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK.
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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