For in vitro fertilization (IVF) new noninvasive techniques to select embryos could boost pregnancy rates and lower the number of risky multiple births. Scientists are using proteomics and metabolomics to screen the liquid that embryos are grown in prior to implantation in order to search for telltale signs of a healthy--or unhealthy--embryo. Some tools for screening could be commercially available in the next year.
Embryos created for IVF are typically selected for implantation based on their morphology, or how they look. But this process is notoriously inaccurate: an embryo can look perfectly normal but still fail to implant in the uterine lining--the first step in a successful pregnancy.
While success rates vary, experts predict that about two-thirds of healthy-looking embryos that are transferred into the uterus fail to implant. Women undergo an average of three rounds of IVF before achieving a successful pregnancy, and each round costs approximately $20,000.
Multiple embryos are typically used in each round to increase the chance of success. But this approach can lead to complications. One of the biggest problems with assisted reproduction and IVF--even as we have gotten better--is multiple births. Because of our inability to select an embryo that has the capacity to make a baby, we transfer more embryos, particularly as women get older." Multiple births can lead to premature delivery, putting babies' health at risk.
While scientists don't know exactly why so many embryos fail, genetic abnormalities are likely a major culprit. Fertility specialists have had some success using genetic testing to pick embryos--they can screen for a number of genetic diseases--but this testing requires plucking a cell from the developing embryo, which is potentially risky. Also, the tests can only detect a limited number of known genetic defects.
