Project description:The field of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is evolving fast, and best practice advice is essential for regulation and standardisation of diagnostic testing. The previous ESHRE guidelines on best practice for preimplantation genetic diagnosis, published in 2005 and 2011, are considered outdated and the development of new papers outlining recommendations for good practice in PGT was necessary. The current updated version of the recommendations for good practice is, similar to the 2011 version, split into four documents, one of which covers the organisation of a PGT centre. The other documents focus on the different technical aspects of embryo biopsy, PGT for monogenic/single-gene defects (PGT-M) and PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements/aneuploidies (PGT-SR/PGT-A). The current document outlines the steps prior to starting a PGT cycle, with details on patient inclusion and exclusion, and counselling and information provision. Also, recommendations are provided on the follow-up of PGT pregnancies and babies. Finally, some further recommendations are made on the practical organisation of an IVF/PGT centre, including basic requirements, transport PGT and quality management. This document, together with the documents on embryo biopsy, PGT-M and PGT-SR/PGT-A, should assist everyone interested in PGT in developing the best laboratory and clinical practice possible.
Project description:The field of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is evolving fast and best practice advice is essential for regulation and standardisation of diagnostic testing. The previous ESHRE guidelines on best practice for PGD, published in 2005 and 2011, are considered outdated, and the development of new papers outlining recommendations for good practice in PGT was necessary. The current paper provides recommendations on the technical aspects of PGT for monogenic/single-gene defects (PGT-M) and covers recommendations on basic methods for PGT-M and testing strategies. Furthermore, some specific recommendations are formulated for special cases, including de novo pathogenic variants, consanguineous couples, HLA typing, exclusion testing and disorders caused by pathogenic variants in the mitochondrial DNA. This paper is one of a series of four papers on good practice recommendations on PGT. The other papers cover the organisation of a PGT centre, embryo biopsy and tubing and the technical aspects of PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements/aneuploidies. Together, these papers should assist scientists interested in PGT in developing the best laboratory and clinical practice possible.
Project description:The field of preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is evolving fast, and best practice advice is essential for regulation and standardisation of diagnostic testing. The previous ESHRE guidelines on best practice for PGD, published in 2005 and 2011, are considered outdated, and the development of new papers outlining recommendations for good practice in PGT was necessary. The current paper provides recommendations on the technical aspects of PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) and PGT for aneuploidies (PGT-A) and covers recommendations on array-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for PGT-SR and PGT-A and on fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for PGT-SR, including laboratory issues, work practice controls, pre-examination validation, preclinical work-up, risk assessment and limitations. Furthermore, some general recommendations on PGT-SR/PGT-A are formulated around training and general risk assessment, and the examination and post-examination process. This paper is one of a series of four papers on good practice recommendations on PGT. The other papers cover the organisation of a PGT centre, embryo biopsy and tubing and the technical aspects of PGT for monogenic/single-gene defects (PGT-M). Together, these papers should assist everyone interested in PGT in developing the best laboratory and clinical practice possible.
Project description:Study questionWhat are the trends and developments in pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) in 2016-2017 as compared to previous years?Summary answerThe main trends observed in this 19th and 20th data set on PGT are that trophectoderm biopsy has become the main biopsy stage for PGT for aneuploidies (PGT-A) and that the implementation of comprehensive testing technologies is the most advanced with PGT-A.What is known alreadySince it was established in 1997, the ESHRE PGT Consortium has been collecting and analysing data from mainly European PGT centres. To date, 18 data sets and an overview of the first 10 years of data collections have been published.Study design size durationThe data for PGT analyses performed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017 with a 2-year follow-up after analysis were provided by participating centres on a voluntary basis. Data were collected using a new online platform, which is based on genetic analysis as opposed to the former cycle-based format.Participants/materials setting methodsData on biopsy method, diagnostic technology and clinical outcome were submitted by 61 centres. Records with analyses for more than one PGT for monogenic/single gene defects (PGT-M) and/or PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) indication or with inconsistent data regarding the PGT modality were excluded. All transfers performed within 2 years after the analysis were included enabling the calculation of cumulative pregnancy rates. Data analysis, calculations, figures and tables were made by expert co-authors.Main results and the role of chanceThe current data collection from 2016 to 2017 covers a total of 3098 analyses for PGT-M, 1018 analyses for PGT-SR, 4033 analyses for PGT-A and 654 analyses for concurrent PGT-M/SR with PGT-A.The application of blastocyst biopsy is gradually rising for PGT-M (from 8-12% in 2013-2015 to 19% in 2016-2017), is status quo for PGT-R (from 22-36% in 2013-2015 to 30% in 2016-2017) and has become the preferential biopsy stage for PGT-A (from 23-36% in 2013-2015 to 87% in 2016-2017). For concurrent PGT-M/SR with PGT-A, biopsy was primarily performed at the blastocyst stage (93%). The use of comprehensive diagnostic technology showed a similar trend with a small increased use for PGT-M (from 9-12% in 2013-2015 to 15% in 2016-2017) and a status quo for PGT-SR (from 36-58% in 2013-2015 to 50% in 2016-2017). Comprehensive testing was the main technology for PGT-A (from 66-75% in 2013-2015 to 93% in 2016-2017) and for concurrent PGT-M/SR with PGT-A (93%).Limitations reasons for cautionThe findings apply to the data submitted by 61 participating centres and do not represent worldwide trends in PGT. Details on the health of babies born were not provided in this manuscript.Wider implications of the findingsBeing the largest data collection on PGT in Europe/worldwide, the data sets provide a valuable resource for following trends in PGT practice.Study funding/competing interestsThe study has no external funding and all costs are covered by ESHRE. There are no competing interests declared.Trial registration numberN/A.
Project description:Study questionWhat are the trends and developments in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in 2013-2015 as compared to previous years?Summary answerThe main trends observed in the retrospective data collections 2013-2015, representing valuable data on PGT activity in (mainly) Europe, are the increased application of trophectoderm biopsy at the cost of cleavage stage biopsy and the continuing expansion of comprehensive testing technology in PGT for chromosomal structural rearrangements and for aneuploidies (PGT-SR and PGT-A).What is known alreadySince it was established in 1997, the ESHRE PGT Consortium has been collecting data from international PGT centres. To date, 15 data sets and an overview of the first 10 years of data collections have been published.Study design size durationCollection of (mainly) European data by the PGT Consortium for ESHRE. The data for PGT cycles performed between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2015 were provided by participating centres on a voluntary basis. For the collection of cycle, pregnancy and baby data, separate, pre-designed MS Excel tables were used.Participants/materials setting methodsData were submitted by 59, 60 and 59 centres respectively for 2013, 2014 and 2015 (full PGT Consortium members). Records with incomplete or inconsistent data were excluded from the calculations. Corrections, calculations, figures and tables were made by expert co-authors.Main results and the role of chanceFor data collection XVI/XVII/XVIII, 59/60/59 centres reported data on 8164/9769/11 120 cycles with oocyte retrieval: 5020/6278/7155 cycles for PGT-A, 2026/2243/2661 cycles for PGT for monogenic/single gene defects, 1039/1189/1231 cycles for PGT-SR and 79/59/73 cycles for sexing for X-linked diseases. From 2013 until 2015, the uptake of biopsy at the blastocyst stage was mainly observed in cycles for PGT-A (from 23% to 36%) and PGT-SR (from 22% to 36%), alongside the increased application of comprehensive testing technology (from 66% to 75% in PGT-A and from 36% to 58% in PGT-SR).Limitations reasons for cautionThe findings apply to the 59/60/59 participating centres and may not represent worldwide trends in PGT. Data were collected retrospectively and no details of the follow-up on PGT pregnancies and babies born were provided.Wider implications of the findingsBeing the largest data collection on PGT worldwide, detailed information about ongoing developments in the field is provided.Study funding/competing interestsThe study has no external funding and all costs are covered by ESHRE. There are no competing interests declared.Trial registration numberN/A.
Project description:Study questionWhat recommendations can be provided to improve terminology for normal and ectopic pregnancy description on ultrasound?Summary answerThe present ESHRE document provides 17 consensus recommendations on how to describe normally sited and different types of ectopic pregnancies on ultrasound.What is known alreadyCurrent diagnostic criteria stipulate that each type of ectopic pregnancy can be defined by clear anatomical landmarks which facilitates reaching a correct diagnosis. However, a clear definition of normally sited pregnancies and a comprehensive classification of ectopic pregnancies are still lacking.Study design size durationA working group of members of the ESHRE Special Interest Group in Implantation and Early Pregnancy (SIG-IEP) and selected experts in ultrasound was formed in order to write recommendations on the classification of ectopic pregnancies.Participants/materials setting methodsThe working group included nine members of different nationalities with internationally recognised experience in ultrasound and diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies on ultrasound. This document is developed according to the manual for development of ESHRE recommendations for good practice. The recommendations were discussed until consensus by the working group, supported by a survey among the members of the ESHRE SIG-IEP.Main results and the role of chanceA clear definition of normally sited pregnancy on ultrasound scan is important to avoid misdiagnosis of uterine ectopic pregnancies. A comprehensive classification of ectopic pregnancy must include definitions and descriptions of each type of ectopic pregnancy. Only a classification which provides descriptions and diagnostic criteria for all possible locations of ectopic pregnancy would be fit for use in routine clinical practice. The working group formulated 17 recommendations on the diagnosis of the different types of ectopic pregnancies on ultrasound. In addition, for each of the types of ectopic pregnancy, a schematic representation and examples on 2D and 3D ultrasound are provided.Limitations reasons for cautionOwing to the limited evidence available, recommendations are mostly based on clinical and technical expertise.Wider implications of the findingsThis document is expected to have a significant impact on clinical practice in ultrasound for early pregnancy. The development of this terminology will help to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.Study funding/competing interestsThe meetings of the working group were funded by ESHRE. T.T. declares speakers' fees from GE Healthcare. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.Trial registration numberN/A.DisclaimerThis Good Practice Recommendations (GPR) document represents the views of ESHRE, which are the result of consensus between the relevant ESHRE stakeholders and where relevant based on the scientific evidence available at the time of preparation. ESHRE's GPRs should be used for informational and educational purposes. They should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. They do not replace the need for application of clinical judgement to each individual presentation, nor variations based on locality and facility type. Furthermore, ESHRE's GPRs do not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation or favouring of any of the included technologies by ESHRE.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Anoectochilus roxburghii is known for its medicinal properties, culinary interests, and ornamental applications in Asian countries. Recent studies focus mainly on its phytochemical properties and little is known about its reproductive biology, especially seed and embryo development. This study documents the major developmental events in seed and embryo development of A. roxburghii upon pollination. RESULTS:Morphological and histological studies revealed that upon pollination embryo and seed development is completed in 40 days. Ovular primordia are at the megaspore mother cell stage at the time of anthesis. Embryo development proceeds after a successful fertilization. A. roxburghii has a single cell suspensor. It elongates but not extended beyond the seed coat. A distinct cell gradient is present within the embryo proper with smaller cells located towards the chalazal end of the seed. Proteins and lipids are the major storage products within the embryo proper cells. At the stage of early globular embryo, the inner seed coat has degenerated and thus a carapace is absent at maturity. A limited deposition of lignin is detected in the mature seed coat. CONCLUSIONS:The seed of A. roxburghii matures rapidly. At maturity, the embryo proper has a well-differentiated apical zone with little constraints impose by the seed coat. These characters indicate adaptations to fast germination that may ensure a successful colonization in the shaded forest understory.
Project description:BackgroundPreviously manual human embryology in many in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers is rapidly being replaced by closed embryo incubation systems with time-lapse imaging. Whether such systems perform comparably to manual embryology in different IVF patient populations has, however, never before been investigated. We, therefore, prospectively compared embryo quality following closed system culture with time-lapse photography (EmbryoScope™) and standard embryology. We performed a two-part prospectively randomized study in IVF (clinical trial # NCT92256309). Part A involved 31 infertile poor prognosis patients prospectively randomized to EmbryoScope™ and standard embryology. Part B involved embryos from 17 egg donor-recipient cycles resulting in large egg/embryo numbers, thus permitting prospectively alternative embryo assignments to EmbryoScope™ and standard embryology. We then compared pregnancy rates and embryo quality on day-3 after fertilization and embryologist time utilized per processed embryo.ResultsPart A revealed in poor prognosis patients no differences in day-3 embryo scores, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates between EmbryoScope™ and standard embryology. The EmbryoScope™, however, more than doubled embryology staff time (P < 0.0001). In Part B, embryos grown in the EmbyoScope™ demonstrated significantly poorer day-3 quality (depending on embryo parameter between P = 0.005 and P = 0.01). Suspicion that conical culture dishes of the EmbryoScope™ (EmbryoSlide™) may be the cause was disproven when standard culture dishes demonstrated no outcome difference in standard incubation.ConclusionsThough due to small patient numbers preliminary, this study raises concerns about the mostly uncontrolled introduction of closed incubation systems with time lapse imaging into routine clinical embryology. Appropriately designed and powered prospectively randomized studies appear urgently needed in well-defined patient populations before the uncontrolled utilization of these instruments further expands.Trial registrationNCT02246309 Registered September 18, 2014.
Project description:Technological developments in gene editing raise high expectations for clinical applications, including editing of the germline. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) together developed a Background document and Recommendations to inform and stimulate ongoing societal debates. This document provides the background to the Recommendations. Germline gene editing is currently not allowed in many countries. This makes clinical applications in these countries impossible now, even if germline gene editing would become safe and effective. What were the arguments behind this legislation, and are they still convincing? If a technique could help to avoid serious genetic disorders, in a safe and effective way, would this be a reason to reconsider earlier standpoints? This Background document summarizes the scientific developments and expectations regarding germline gene editing, legal regulations at the European level, and ethics for three different settings (basic research, preclinical research and clinical applications). In ethical terms, we argue that the deontological objections (e.g., gene editing goes against nature) do not seem convincing while consequentialist objections (e.g., safety for the children thus conceived and following generations) require research, not all of which is allowed in the current legal situation in European countries. Development of this Background document and Recommendations reflects the responsibility to help society understand and debate the full range of possible implications of the new technologies, and to contribute to regulations that are adapted to the dynamics of the field while taking account of ethical considerations and societal concerns.
Project description:Research questionDay of cryopreservation, inner cell mass (ICM) grade, trophectoderm grade and blastocyst expansion grade have been associated with differences in live birth rate in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. This study sought to examine the likelihood of live birth and whether the morphological grade of the blastocyst is more or equally useful in FET cycles among preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) tested and untested blastocysts.DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study of 6271 vitrified-warmed, autologous, single-embryo transfer cycles among patients undergoing IVF from July 2013 to December 2017 at a single, university-affiliated infertility practice. The primary outcome was live birth, calculated by generalized estimating equations.ResultsAmong PGT-A tested embryos, inferior ICM grade was associated with a lower chance of live birth (ICM grade B versus A: adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.99). Among untested blastocysts there was a lower live birth rate in blastocysts cryopreserved on day 6 versus day 5 (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.96), and those with inferior pre-vitrification trophectoderm grade (trophectoderm grade B versus A: aRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.94). Blastocysts with a higher pre-vitrification expansion grade (pre-vitrification expansion grade 5 versus 4: aRR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01-1.2) were associated, but ICM grade was not associated (ICM grade B versus A: aRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.02), with chance of live birth.ConclusionsAmong PGT-A untested blastocysts, assessing embryo quality by day of cryopreservation, trophectoderm grade and expansion grade may help to identify embryos with the highest likelihood of live birth. Identifying euploid embryos by PGT-A appears to homogenize the cohort, making blastocyst morphological grade and day of cryopreservation less important.