Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Embryo Ploidy Selection

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) refers to treatments used to assist people in achieving a pregnancy. Over the last years, ART have been developed with efforts to deliver a healthy baby. However, the selection of the embryo that most likely results in pregnancy remains a critical step in ART. Currently, this selection is based on morphological assessment of the embryos, but up to 70% of those embryos display an abnormal number of chromosomes. Preimplantation genetic test for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is used to assess the ploidy of embryos, although this is an invasive, expensive and time consuming technique. Alternatively, in order to predict the ploidy of pre-implantation embryos (euploidy vs aneuploidy), we suggest to characterise the metabolic profile of the embryo culture medium by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), which is a non-invasive, low cost and fast technique.

The aim of this study is to assess whether, using multivariable analysis to all the collected NMR data, it is possible to identify a differential metabolic pattern between aneuploid and euploid embryos which could improve embryo selection.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: ≥18 and <49 years old.
• Body Mass Index ≥18.5 Kg/m2 and <30 Kg/m2.
• Planned for in vitro fertilization followed by preimplantation genetic test for aneuploidy.
• Oocytes retrieval and fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection
• Six follicles over 14 mm on the day of the triggering. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist
• Signed and dated informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous history of poor ovarian response (<4 oocytes retrieved) with a maximal dose of ovarian stimulation (≥300 IU/day).
• Presence of a medical condition which is known to affect assisted reproductive technologies outcome (e.g. thyroid dysfunction).
• Active female smoking.
• Current use of anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, steroids, antiepileptics or chemotherapy.
• Those unable to comprehend the investigational nature of the proposed study.