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RNA-seq as a tool for evaluating human embryo competence

ABSTRACT: The majority of embryos that are created through IVF do not implant. One possibility for this inefficiency is an incomplete understanding of the molecular factors affecting embryo competence. Currently, the process of selecting an embryo for uterine transfer utilizes an ad-hoc combination of morphological criteria, the kinetics of development, and genetic testing for aneuploidy. However, no single criterion can ensure selection of a viable embryo. In contrast, RNA-sequencing of embryos could yield highly dimensional data, which may provide additional insight and illuminate the discrepancies among current selection criteria. Indeed, recent advances enabling the production of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries from single cells have facilitated the application of this technique to the study of some transcriptional events in early human development. However, these studies have not assessed the quality of their constituent embryos relative to commonly used embryological criteria. Here, we perform proof-of-principle advancement to clinical selection procedures by generating high quality RNA-seq libraries from a trophectoderm biopsy as well as the remaining whole embryo. We combine state-of-the-art embryological methods with low-input RNA-seq to develop the first transcriptome-wide approach for use in future predictive embryology studies. Specifically, we demonstrate the capacity of RNA-seq as a promising tool in preimplantation screening by showing that biopsies of an embryo can capture valuable information content available in the whole embryo from which they are derived. Furthermore, we show that this technique can be used to generate a RNA-based digital karyotype, and to develop a foundational dataset for identifying candidate competence-associated genes. Together, these data establish the foundation for a future RNA-based diagnostic in IVF.

PROVIDER: EGAS00001003667 | EGA |

REPOSITORIES: EGA

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Project description:The use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized the treatment of infertility and is now responsible for 1-5% of all births in industrialized countries. During IVF, it is typical for patients to generate multiple embryos. However, only a small proportion of them possess the genetic and metabolic requirements needed in order to produce a healthy pregnancy. The identification of the embryo with the greatest developmental capacity represents a major challenge for fertility clinics. Current methods for the assessment of embryo competence are proven inefficient and the inadvertent transfer of non-viable embryos is the principal reason why most IVF treatments (approximately two-thirds) end in failure. In this study, we investigate how the application of proteomic measurements could improve success rates in clinical embryology. We describe a procedure that allows the identification and quantification of proteins of embryonic origin, present in attomole concentrations in the blastocoel, the enclosed fluid filled cavity that forms within five-day old human embryos. By using targeted proteomics, we demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying multiple proteins in samples derived from single blastocoels, and that such measurements correlate with aspects of embryo viability, such as chromosomal (ploidy) status. This study illustrates the potential of high-sensitivity proteomics to measure clinically relevant biomarkers in minute samples and, more specifically, suggests that key aspects of embryo competence could be measured using a proteomic-based strategy, with negligible risk of harm to the living embryo. Our work paves the way for the development of “next-generation” embryo competence assessment strategies, based on functional proteomics. This subset of experiments were used to validate embryonic origin of proteins identified in the blastocoel cavity of the developing human embryo. Data from ICM and TE samples were combined to create a comprehensive list of genes expressed by the developing human blastocyst. The presence of the correlated transcript indicated embryonic origin of the protein.

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RNA-seq as a tool for evaluating human embryo competence

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