Assessment for early embryo quality improves the sensitivity and specificity to predicting embryonic development potential / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Embryo viability assessment is directly related to the selection of embryo transplantation and clinical outcome of assisted reproduction. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the assessment methods for early embryonic development. METHODS:The first author searched PubMed database for relevant articles published from January 1990 to December 2013 using the keywords of“assisted reproductive technology, art;pre-implantation embryo;embryonic development viability;evaluation methods”in English. Final y, 63 articles were included in result analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the embryo quality evaluation, the most widely used method is morphological evaluation method which is characterized as rapid, non-invasive, and simple. With the development of assisted reproductive technology, the morphological evaluation combined with time-lapse imaging analysis system has been recognized in embryo selection. Recently, targeted-metabolic analysis has been proposed as a useful tool for assessment of embryo development potential, involving pyruvate acid, glycometabolism, amino acid, and embryo-derived cytokines (soluble human leukocyte antigen G1, platelet-activating factor, etc.). Furthermore, the pre-implantation genetic screening method targeting gene and chromosome abnormality is expected to find more effective markers for evaluating embryo developmental potential.