Researchers say they have developed a 3D imaging model of an early-stage embryo that could make it easier for women to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
About 2.5% of U.S. births About 92,000 IVF embryos were created in 2022. When IVF patients create multiple embryos, it can be difficult to determine which one is more likely to lead to birth.
now, Chinese scientists say The 3D models they created of blastocysts (embryos that are about five to six days old) can provide previously unknown details about cellular features associated with successful pregnancy.
“This study shows that the 3D shape of the blastocyst’s inner cell mass, its location and the arrangement of surrounding cells may be important indicators of success that were previously unknown,” said Dr Bo Fan, an embryologist at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Tongji Hospital in China and lead author of the study.
In IVF, eggs are collected from a woman and mixed with sperm in a lab to create embryos, which are then implanted in the uterus.
Patients can have the embryos tested for genetic abnormalities before implantation. success rate For genetically healthy embryos, the pregnancy rate is 60% to 65%. This rate decreases if the woman is older or if conditions in her uterus make it difficult for the embryo to implant.
The new study involved women under the age of 40 who had a thick uterine lining and had not had at least one failed embryo transfer. The researchers took detailed images of 2,141 blastocysts using EmbryoScope+, a technology that can monitor embryo development.
They compared their model to fluorescent images of blastocysts and found it to be 90% accurate.
“Traditionally, blastocyst quality is assessed using 2D methods that lack depth and comprehensive metrics,” Huang explains. “Some 3D methods exist, but they are neither practical nor safe for clinical use. This study fills that gap by introducing a clinically applicable 3D assessment method, revealing previously unrecognized features of blastocysts.”
Huang’s research, Featured in Human Reproduction magazineThe findings were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society for Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Amsterdam on Monday.
He said the ultimate goal is to make the technology the standard for IVF, bringing new hope to patients.
ESHRE president-elect Dr Anis Feki said Huang’s model “shows great potential” but that more research was needed.
“This method has the potential to improve IVF outcomes, but its clinical application needs to be considered carefully,” Feki added.
