Non-Invasive Methods of Human Embryo Quality Assessment: Exploring Morphokinetic, Metabolomic and Secretome Parameters That Predict Pregnancy Outcome in IVF
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a commonly used infertility treatment involving fertilization of the oocyte by sperm outside of the body. Morphological assessment is the primary non-invasive criteria used to select embryos for uterine transfer, however, using this method, the current success rate is around 30%. Thus, more non-invasive tools are needed to improve the process of embryo selection. The objective of this thesis is to explore and assess additional non-invasive methods, including morphokinetics, metabolic profiling and extracellular vesicle release, as biomarkers for selecting the embryo with the highest implantation potential. Results show some morphokinetic parameters are correlated with implantation and metabolomic analysis can provide further insight in understanding embryo physiology. Moreover, we show for the first time, the possibility of the release of extracellular vesicles from human pre-implantation embryos. This data provides validation that these techniques have the potential to be brought into routine clinical use for embryo selection.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Parshvi Rajesh Vyas
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2770711469