Assessment of volatile analysis for embryo selection during in vitro fertilisation

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has irrupted as the most important alternative for getting pregnant in a global world with decreasing natality rates. Currently, IVF success rate is around 20%. In order to improve it, the selection of the most suitable embryo for implantation is the most important factor.

In the proposed project, we aim to assess embryo selection based on the analysis of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they emit during their development.

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique will be employed in the first step of the project for identifying the pattern of VOCs that characterise the embryos that successfully reach the blastocyst stage, as well as the blastocysts that hatch.

An electronic nose system, which possesses several advantages over the GC-MS technique, such as portability, ease of use and considerably lower price, will be next developed for the selective detection of the VOC patterns identified by the GC-MS studies. Initially, the study will be performed on bovine during fellows placement at the Beneficiary.

The electronic nose that will be developed for the bovine model will be tested on humans in a real-world environment during the additional non-academic placement of the researcher at the business partner.

The results of this test will constitute the basis for the future development of a reliable device for the selection of the most suitable embryos for successful IVF outcomes.