Abstract
Human embryos utilise an array of processes to eliminate the very high prevalence of aneuploid cells in early embryo stages. Human embryo self-correction was recently demonstrated by their ability to eliminate/expel abnormal blastomeres as cell debris/fragments. A whole genome amplification study has demonstrated that 63.6% of blastocysts expelled cell debris with abnormal chromosomal rearrangements. Moreover, 55.5% of euploid blastocysts expel aneuploid debris, strongly suggesting that the primary source of cell free DNA in culture media is expelled aneuploid blastomeres and/or their fragments. Such a substantial ability to self-correct downstream from the blastocyststage, therefore, renders any chromosomal diagnosis at the blastocyststage potentially useless, and this, unfortunately, also must particularly include non-invasive PGT-A based on cell-free DNA in spent medium. High rates of false-positive diagnoses of human embryos often lead to non-use and/or disposal of embryos with entirely normal pregnancy potential. Before adopting yet another round of unvalidated PGT-A as a routine adjunct to IVF, we here present facts that deserve to be considered.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1186-1190 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Human Reproduction |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 May 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- assisted reproductive technique
- cell-free DNA
- human embryos
- in-vitro fertilisation
- non-invasive
- preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy
- self-correction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology