Conditions for improved accuracy of noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: Focusing on the zona pellucida and early blastocysts

• Published in: Reproductive medicine and biology Vol. 23; no. 1; p. e12604
• Main Authors: Takeuchi, Hiroki, Morishita, Midori, Uemura, Midori, Maezawa, Tadashi, Shibahara, Takashi, Takayama, Erina, Nishioka, Mikiko, Kondo, Eiji, Minoura, Hiroyuki, Ikeda, Tomoaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan John Wiley and Sons Inc 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Original; blastocyst; embryo; PGT‐A; niPGT‐A; zona pellucida
• ISSN: 1445-5781; 1447-0578
• DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12604

Recently, noninvasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (niPGT-A) using cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid has been developed; however, there are few reports on this and the results are inconsistent. This study was conducted to optimize the cultural environment.
We used 35 blastocysts that had been discarded after in-vitro fertilization. The concordance rate of karyotype analysis results between whole embryos (WEs), spent culture mediums (SCMs), and trophectoderms after 8, 16, and 24 h of culture was examined. Next, zona pellucida (ZP)-free blastocysts and then early blastocysts were cultured for 24 h each.
Regarding the optimal culture times, the concordance rate between WEs and SCMs was 20%, 60%, and 100% at 8, 16, and 24 h, respectively. Significant differences were found between 8 and 24 h. The concordance rate with ZP cultures was 40.0%, and no significant differences were found. The concordance rate of early blastocysts thawed and cultured for 24 h was 40.0%, which was significantly lower than that of day 5 blastocysts.
The optimal culture times for niPGT-A were 24 h, and the concordance rate with free ZP was higher. The concordance rate for early blastocysts was low, suggesting that optimization of the conditions may be necessary.