Noninvasive metabolomic profiling as an adjunct to morphology for noninvasive embryo assessment in women undergoing single embryo transfer

ObjectiveTo determine whether metabolomic profiling of spent embryo culture media correlates with reproductive potential of human embryos.DesignRetrospective study.SettingAcademic and a private assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs.Patient(s)Women undergoing single embryo transfer after IVF.Intervention(s)Spent embryo culture media were collected after single embryo transfer on day 3 (n = 304) or day 2 (n = 181) and analyzed by near infrared spectroscopy. Near infrared spectral regions were correlated to reproductive potential using a genetic algorithm optimization. Models of these spectral regions were used to calculate viability indices, and were validated by blinded analysis of a subset (n = 60) of samples. Implantation rates were also compared between embryos of higher (≥0.3) and lower (<0.3) viability indices, and within each morphology grade.Main Outcome Measure(s)Viability index and embryo viability.Result(s)Mean viability indices of embryos that resulted in positive fetal cardiac activity were significantly higher compared with embryos that did not for both day 2 and day 3 embryos. Blinded validation of the day 2 model proved to be significant. Increasing viability index values correlated with an increase in pregnancy. Viability indices were found to be independent of morphology for both day 2 and day 3 embryos. Implantation rates were significantly higher among embryos with viability indices ≥0.3.Conclusion(s)Metabolomic profiling of human embryo culture media using near infrared spectroscopy is independent of morphology and correlates with reproductive potential of embryos.