The Secret of Embryos: New Possibilities for Predicting IVF Success
V našej nedávnej publikácii (Toporcerová a kol., 2025) sme priniesli nový pohľad na to, ako lepšie predpovedať kvalitu embryí a úspešnosť umelého oplodnenia (IVF). V najnovšej štúdii publikovanej v prestížnom časopise Reproductive BioMedicine Online sme sa zamerali na tzv. embryonálny sekretóm – súbor látok, ktoré embryo uvoľňuje do kultivačného média počas svojho vývoja v laboratórnych podmienkach.
What is the embryonic secretome?
During its development in the incubator, the embryo “communicates” with its environment by releasing various molecules – from proteins and metabolites to small non-coding RNAs. Together, these molecules form the so-called secretome, which several researchers have analyzed to determine whether it is possible to estimate embryo quality and its chances for successful implantation.
Why is this important?
In IVF procedures, selecting the right embryo is crucial for a successful pregnancy. Until now, selection has been primarily based on the visual assessment of the embryo, which can be insufficient. This study shows that biochemical analysis of the culture medium can be a valuable complement in deciding which embryo has the highest chance for successful development.
Study results
Researchers identified several molecules in the culture medium – including small non-coding RNAs and metabolites – that were associated with embryo quality and IVF success. These findings open the door to non-invasive biomarkers that could, in the future, improve the success of assisted reproduction and minimize the number of unsuccessful attempts.
