- The study is explained within the 8th IVIRMA Congress
- The great international event with Assisted Reproduction is held from April 4 to 6 in Palma de Mallorca
How many times have you heard or read that “better embryo equals better pregnancy results”. We have taken this statement as an unquestionable truth since the origins of assisted reproduction. For this reason, for years, embryology laboratories have focused their efforts on improving embryo selection methods to optimize the results achieved in reproductive treatments.
Starting from the basis that the best embryos have greater implantation possibilities, we want to tell you about one of the studies that we have presented in our 8th International IVIRMA Congress, which we have inaugurated today in Mallorca. It is a poster that opens a new way to improve embryo selection and, therefore, increase the success rates of assisted reproduction treatments. Where is the key? In the extracellular vesicles.
The work, entitled “Extracellular vesicles can be isolated from culture media with and without exposure to human preimplantation embryos”, is led by Diego Marín, IVIRMA doctoral student at the group’s headquarters in New Jersey, and by the Dr. Richard T. Scott, CEO of IVIRMA and mentor of the project. It has tried to find a biomarker to improve the embryo selection process using a non-invasive method, in order to increase the embryo implantation rate – in this case we are talking about euploid embryos, that is, those that contain 46 normal chromosomes-, which currently stands at 70%.
Dr. Juan Antonio García-Velasco, scientific director of the 8th International IVIRMA Congress, explains: “Extracellular vesicles are cell-derived particles with a two-layer membrane that secrete molecules and, as has been shown, play a fundamental role in intercellular communication. Given that the dialogue between the embryo and the endometrium is crucial for a correct implantation and a normal pregnancy at term, we want to demonstrate that these extracellular vesicles secreted by the embryo before implantation play a central role in this communication and, therefore, can become potential biomarkers for embryonic reproductive competence ”.
This is a fairly novel concept, so it offers great study possibilities and, in the long term, it is hoped to be able to analyze these particles and see the effects they have on the euploid embryo, thus knowing in depth the potential of extracellular vesicles to improve the reproductive results of women and couples who trust your desire to be parents in us.
“Although there are studies on the relationship between these vesicles and their application in the treatment of kidney diseases or tumor conditions, it had not been applied in the field of reproductive medicine until recently. Embryonic extracellular vesicles offer an encouraging and non-invasive opportunity to assess embryo viability that could help improve embryo selection and understand the molecular dialogue between embryo and endometrium, significantly increasing pregnancy outcomes, by combining this promising tool with other technologies. diagnostic. However, more complex studies are necessary to implement its profile as a diagnostic test for the selection of embryos ”, adds Dr. García Velasco.
From morphology to extracellular vesicles: A journey in search of the reproductive panacea
It all started with the study of embryo morphology as a standard and readily accessible method for embryo selection. Later, preimplantation genetic tests for aneuploidy (PGT-A) would represent a revolution in this field, integrating the genetic factor in the study of the embryo. As a result, she was able to show how chromosomally normal embryo transfer offers higher implantation rates, lower miscarriage rates, and shorter times to achieve gestation.
Subsequently, we tried to find solid and measurable variables that could serve as biomarkers of embryonic competence: devices such as the EmbryScope helped us to advance in the improvement of embryo selection, through the study of morphokinetic parameters.
Morphology, genetic makeup and morphokinetic parameters have allowed us to progressively improve the embryo implantation rate, but it is true that, today, around a third of chromosomally normal embryos still fail to implant in the uterus.
“Now, we take a step further and bet on the study of extracellular vesicles with the main objective of increasing the embryo implantation rate with a detailed knowledge of the possibilities of these particles and their influence on the reproductive process”, concludes Dr. Garcia Velasco.
