Is metabolomics a reliable technique to assess embryo quality?

Abstract

Selecting the best embryos to transfer is essential in any in vitro fertilization treatment. For years, embryo morphology supported this selection. Now, the field is seeking more accurate and non-invasive methods for selection. Recent studies show that embryos that do not result in successful pregnancy exhibit different metabolomic profiles from those embryos that result in successful pregnancy, opening a new possibility in the field. Metabolomic profiling and analysis of the cell-free DNA released by the embryo to the culture media are the most promising techniques for embryo selection developed so far.