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- Title
GDF9 concentration in embryo culture medium is linked to human embryo quality and viability.
- Authors
Li, Jingyu; Li, Chong; Liu, Xuemei; Yang, Jingwei; Zhang, Qi; Han, Wei; Huang, Guoning
- Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the link between the GDF9 concentration in day 3 human embryo culture medium and embryo quality and viability. Methods: Two independent, prospective, observational studies were conducted. In study 1, a total of 280 embryos from 70 patients who obtained at least 4 embryos with 6–10 blastomeres (2 transferable and 2 non-transferable embryos) at day 3 were enrolled. In study 2, a total of 119 embryos from 61 patients (29 fully implanted and 32 non-implanted patients) were enrolled. The corresponding GDF9 concentrations in spent culture medium of embryos were quantified by ELISA assay. The expression pattern of GDF9 in human embryos was investigated using Q-PCR and immunofluorescence. Results: GDF9 mRNA and protein were detected from human oocytes to eight-cell embryos and displayed a slow decreasing trend. In study 1, GDF9 concentration in culture medium is lower for transferable embryos compared with non-transferable embryos (331 pg/mL (quartiles: 442, 664 pg/mL) vs. 518 pg/mL (quartiles: 328, 1086 pg/mL), P < 0.001), and increased commensurate with the diminution of the embryo quality (P < 0.001). In study 2, significantly lower GDF9 concentration was detected for implanted embryos than non-implanted embryos (331 pg/mL (quartiles: 156, 665 pg/mL) vs. 518 pg/mL (quartiles: 328, 1086 pg/mL), P < 0.001). The same trend was found between the embryos that led to live birth and those that failed. Conclusion: The GDF9 concentration in culture medium is linked to embryo quality and viability, and exhibited the potential to be a non-invasive biomarker for embryo selection.
- Subjects
HUMAN embryos; EMBRYOS; BLASTOMERES; OVUM
- Publication
Journal of Assisted Reproduction & Genetics, 2022, Vol 39, Issue 1, p117
- ISSN
1058-0468
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10815-021-02368-x