Clinical utilisation of a rapid low-pass whole genome sequencing technique for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human embryos prior to implantation.

Authors: Wells, D., Kaur, K., Grifo, J., Glassner, M., Taylor, J.C., Fragouli, E. and Munne, S.

Journal: J Med Genet

Volume: 51

Issue: 8

Pages: 553-562

eISSN: 1468-6244

DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102497

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The majority of human embryos created using in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques are aneuploid. Comprehensive chromosome screening methods, applicable to single cells biopsied from preimplantation embryos, allow reliable identification and transfer of euploid embryos. Recently, randomised trials using such methods have indicated that aneuploidy screening improves IVF success rates. However, the high cost of testing has restricted the availability of this potentially beneficial strategy. This study aimed to harness next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, with the intention of lowering the costs of preimplantation aneuploidy screening. METHODS: Embryo biopsy, whole genome amplification and semiconductor sequencing. RESULTS: A rapid (<15 h) NGS protocol was developed, with consumable cost only two-thirds that of the most widely used method for embryo aneuploidy detection. Validation involved blinded analysis of 54 cells from cell lines or biopsies from human embryos. Sensitivity and specificity were 100%. The method was applied clinically, assisting in the selection of euploid embryos in two IVF cycles, producing healthy children in both cases. The NGS approach was also able to reveal specified mutations in the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes in parallel with chromosome assessment. Interestingly, elevated mitochondrial DNA content was associated with aneuploidy (p<0.05), a finding suggestive of a link between mitochondria and chromosomal malsegregation. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that NGS provides highly accurate, low-cost diagnosis of aneuploidy in cells from human preimplantation embryos and is rapid enough to allow testing without embryo cryopreservation. The method described also has the potential to shed light on other aspects of embryo genetics of relevance to health and viability.

Source: PubMed

Clinical utilisation of a rapid low-pass whole genome sequencing technique for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human embryos prior to implantation

Authors: Wells, D., Kaur, K., Grifo, J., Glassner, M., Taylor, J.C., Fragouli, E. and Munne, S.

Journal: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS

Volume: 51

Issue: 8

Pages: 553-562

eISSN: 1468-6244

ISSN: 0022-2593

DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102497

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Clinical utilisation of a rapid low-pass whole genome sequencing technique for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human embryos prior to implantation

Authors: Wells, D., Kaur, K., Grifo, J., Glassner, M., Taylor, J.C., Fragkouli, E. and Munne, S.

Journal: Journal of Medical Genetics

Volume: 51

Issue: 8

Pages: 553-562

Publisher: BMJ

ISSN: 0022-2593

Source: Manual

Clinical utilisation of a rapid low-pass whole genome sequencing technique for the diagnosis of aneuploidy in human embryos prior to implantation.

Authors: Wells, D., Kaur, K., Grifo, J., Glassner, M., Taylor, J.C., Fragouli, E. and Munne, S.

Journal: Journal of medical genetics

Volume: 51

Issue: 8

Pages: 553-562

eISSN: 1468-6244

ISSN: 0022-2593

DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102497

Abstract:

Background

The majority of human embryos created using in vitro fertilisation (IVF) techniques are aneuploid. Comprehensive chromosome screening methods, applicable to single cells biopsied from preimplantation embryos, allow reliable identification and transfer of euploid embryos. Recently, randomised trials using such methods have indicated that aneuploidy screening improves IVF success rates. However, the high cost of testing has restricted the availability of this potentially beneficial strategy. This study aimed to harness next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, with the intention of lowering the costs of preimplantation aneuploidy screening.

Methods

Embryo biopsy, whole genome amplification and semiconductor sequencing.

Results

A rapid (<15 h) NGS protocol was developed, with consumable cost only two-thirds that of the most widely used method for embryo aneuploidy detection. Validation involved blinded analysis of 54 cells from cell lines or biopsies from human embryos. Sensitivity and specificity were 100%. The method was applied clinically, assisting in the selection of euploid embryos in two IVF cycles, producing healthy children in both cases. The NGS approach was also able to reveal specified mutations in the nuclear or mitochondrial genomes in parallel with chromosome assessment. Interestingly, elevated mitochondrial DNA content was associated with aneuploidy (p<0.05), a finding suggestive of a link between mitochondria and chromosomal malsegregation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that NGS provides highly accurate, low-cost diagnosis of aneuploidy in cells from human preimplantation embryos and is rapid enough to allow testing without embryo cryopreservation. The method described also has the potential to shed light on other aspects of embryo genetics of relevance to health and viability.

Source: Europe PubMed Central