1
|
Ochando I, Urbano A, Rueda J. Genetics in reproductive medicine. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103092. [PMID: 39342776 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103092] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Thanks to advances in technology, genetic testing is now available to explore the causes of infertility and to assess the risk of a given couple passing on a genetic disorder to their offspring. This allows at-risk couples to make an informed decision when opting for assisted reproduction and allows professionals to offer pre-implantation diagnosis when appropriate. Genetic screening of an infertile couple has thus become standard practice for an appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment. This review aims to highlight the conditions under which genetic screening plays a role in improving reproductive outcomes for infertile couples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Ochando
- Nuuma Genetics, Hospital HLA Vistahermosa, Alicante, Spain; Departamento de Histología y Anatomía, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Antonio Urbano
- Nuuma Genetics, Hospital HLA Vistahermosa, Alicante, Spain; Departamento de Histología y Anatomía, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | - Joaquín Rueda
- Departamento de Histología y Anatomía, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kutteh WH, Papas RS, Maisenbacher MK, Dahdouh EM. Role of genetic analysis of products of conception and PGT in managing early pregnancy loss. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:103738. [PMID: 38701633 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103738] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
This article considers the addition of comprehensive 24-chromosomal microarray (CMA) analysis of products of conception (POC) to a standard evaluation for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) to help direct treatment towards expectant management versus IVF with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). The review included retrospective data from 65,333 miscarriages, a prospective evaluation of 378 couples with RPL who had CMA testing of POC and the standard workup, and data from an additional 1020 couples who were evaluated for RPL but did not undergo CMA testing of POC. Aneuploidy in POC explained the pregnancy loss in 57.7% (218/378) of cases. In contrast, the full RPL evaluation recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine identified a potential cause in only 42.9% (600/1398). Combining the data from the RPL evaluation and the results of genetic testing of POC provides a probable explanation for the loss in over 90% (347/378) of women. Couples with an unexplained loss after the standard evaluation with POC aneuploidy accounted for 41% of cases; PGT-A may be considered after expectant management. Conversely, PGT-A would have a limited role in those with a euploid loss and a possible explanation after the standard workup. Categorizing a pregnancy loss as an explained versus unexplained loss after the standard evaluation combined with the results of CMA testing of POC may help identify patients who would benefit from expectant management versus PGT-A.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William H Kutteh
- Natera, Inc., San Carlos, CA, USA.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA..
| | - Ralph S Papas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Elias M Dahdouh
- ART Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Go M, Shim SH. Genomic aspects in reproductive medicine. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2024; 51:91-101. [PMID: 38263590 PMCID: PMC11140259 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2023.06303] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a complex disease characterized by extreme genetic heterogeneity, compounded by various environmental factors. While there are exceptions, individual genetic and genomic variations related to infertility are typically rare, often family-specific, and may serve as susceptibility factors rather than direct causes of the disease. Consequently, identifying the cause of infertility and developing prevention and treatment strategies based on these factors remain challenging tasks, even in the modern genomic era. In this review, we first examine the genetic and genomic variations associated with infertility, and subsequently summarize the concepts and methods of preimplantation genetic testing in light of advances in genome analysis technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minyeon Go
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Han Shim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Omes C, Conti A, Benedetti L, Tomasoni V, De Marchi D, Nappi RE, Cusella De Angelis MG, Ceccarelli G. Expression of miRNA from spent pre-implantation embryos culture media. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100847. [PMID: 38776743 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100847] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
This study examines the expression of three microRNAs (hsa-miR-661, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-372-5p) in spent pre-implantation embryos culture media to identify possible new non-invasive biomarkers of embryo competence, predictive of development to the blastocyst stage. A preliminary analysis on 16 patients undergoing IVF cycles was performed by collecting and stored spent culture media on the fifth/sixth day of embryo culture. Expression of miRNAs was evaluated according to the embryos' fate: 1) NE/DG: non-evolved or degenerate embryos; 2) BLOK: embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Preliminary results revealed a higher miRNAs expression in NE/DG spent media. To elucidate the roles of these miRNAs, we employed a robust bioinformatics pipeline involving: 1) in-silico miRNA Target Prediction using RNAHybrid, which identified the most-likely gene targets; 2) Construction of a Protein-Protein Interaction network via GeneMania, linking genes with significant biological correlations; 3) application of modularity-based clustering with the gLay app in Cytoscape, resulting in three size-adapted subnets for focused analysis; 4) Enrichment Analysis to discern the biological pathways influenced by the miRNAs. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed that hsa-miR-661 was closely associated with pathways regulating cell shape and morphogenesis of the epithelial sheet. These data suggest the potential use of certain miRNAs to identify embryos with a higher likelihood of developing to the blastocyst stage. Further analysis will be necessary to explore the reproducibility of these findings and to understand if miRNAs here investigated can be used as biomarkers for embryo selection before implantation into the uterus or if they may be reliable predictors of IVF outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Omes
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Alice Conti
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Benedetti
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Tomasoni
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide De Marchi
- Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Rossella E Nappi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Gabriella Cusella De Angelis
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ceccarelli
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tian T, Qiao J. The role of clinical trials in advancing reproductive medicine: a comprehensive overview. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2023; 3:363-365. [PMID: 38283257 PMCID: PMC10811349 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Tian Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment of Oocyte Maturation Arrest, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lledo B, Morales R, Antonio Ortiz J, Bernabeu A, Bernabeu R. Noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing using the embryo spent culture medium: an update. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2023; 35:294-299. [PMID: 37144571 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000881] [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: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The presence of cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) in the embryo spent culture medium allows to develop a noninvasive PGT-A (niPGTA). Noninvasive PGT-A may provide a simpler, safer and less costly approach to preimplantation genetic testing of aneuploidy (PGT-A). Furthermore, niPGTA would provide wider access to embryo genetic analysis and circumvent many legal and ethical considerations. However, the concordance rate between the results obtained by PGT-A and niPGTA varies among studies and, their clinical utility has not been already demonstrated. This review evaluates the niPGTA reliability based on SCM and adds new knowledge about the clinical relevance of SCM for noninvasive PGT-A. RECENT FINDINGS The most recent concordance studies evaluating the accuracy of niPGTA using SCM showed a high variation in the informativity rate of SCM and the diagnostic concordance. Also, sensitivity and specificity showed similar heterogeneous results. Therefore, these results do not support the clinical utility of niPGTA. Regarding clinical outcome, the data are initial and further research, including randomized and nonselection studies are needed. SUMMARY Further research, including randomized and nonselection studies, as well as optimization of embryo culture conditions and medium retrieval, are needed to improve the reliability and clinical utility of niPGTA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andrea Bernabeu
- Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynaecology
- Chair of Community Medicine and Reproductive Health, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rafael Bernabeu
- Instituto Bernabeu of Fertility and Gynaecology
- Chair of Community Medicine and Reproductive Health, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang B, Luo X, Wu R, Qiu L, Lin S, Huang X, Wu J. Evaluation of non-invasive gene detection in preimplantation embryos: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1243-1253. [PMID: 36952146 PMCID: PMC10310611 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02760-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic abnormalities in embryos are responsible for most miscarriages and repeated embryo implantation failures, so a reliable preimplantation genetic screening method is urgently needed. Non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing (niPGT) is a potential method for embryo genetic diagnosis. However, the value of its application is controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate and validate the diagnostic value of niPGT in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS This review used the "Preferred Reporting Items" as a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) statement. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Library up to May 2022 to retrieve non-invasive preimplantation gene detection studies. The eligible research quality was evaluated following the quality assessment study-2 system for diagnostic accuracy. The pooled receiver operator characteristic curve (SROC) and the area under SROC (AUC) were used to evaluate diagnostic performance quantitatively. Threshold effect, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression analysis were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Deeks' funnel plots and sensitivity analyses were used to test the publication bias and stability of the meta-analysis, respectively. FINDINGS Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 0.84 (95% CI 0.72-0.91), 0.85 (95% CI 0.74-0.92), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the spent culture medium (SCM) subgroup had higher sensitivity and lower specificity than the SCM combined with the blastocoel fluid (BF) subgroup. Subgroup analysis showed that the study sensitivity and specificity of < 100 cases were higher than those of ≥ 100. Heterogeneity (chi-square) analysis revealed that sample size might be a potential source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis and Deeks' funnel plots indicated that our results were relatively robust and free from publication bias. INTERPRETATION The present meta-analysis indicated that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of niPGT in preimplantation genetic testing were 0.84, 0.85, and 0.91, respectively. niPGT may have high detection accuracy and may serve as an alternative model for embryonic analysis. Additionally, by subgroup analysis, we found that BF did not improve the accuracy of niPGT in embryos. In the future, large-scale studies are needed to determine the detection value of niPGT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiangmin Luo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ruiyun Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lingling Qiu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Group of Neuroendocrinology, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria St, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xiaolan Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Jinxiang Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|