Symposium: Innovative techniques in human embryo viability assessment
Can proteomics help to shape the future of human assisted conception?

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1472-6483(10)60235-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Proteomics describes the changes in all proteins expressed and translated from a single genome. At present little is known regarding either the genome or proteome of human gametes or the preimplantation embryo. The unravelling of this information is fundamental to understanding the complexity of reproductive physiology, including the dialogue between the developing embryo and its maternal environment. To date, a lack of sensitivity has been the main reason behind the inability to introduce proteomics technology into assisted reproduction techniques. Proteomics alone involves several sophisticated techniques including imaging, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics to identify, quantify and characterize a proteome. The recent increased sensitivity of these techniques has allowed for the development of new protocols that are capable of not only profiling the proteome of individual human oocytes and embryos, but also the proteins produced by the embryo into the surrounding medium (the secretome). Hence, the identification of proteins that are involved in oocyte maturation, embryo development and implantation could lead to further improvements in assisted reproduction techniques as well as the development of new diagnostic tests. Furthermore, proteomics may contribute in the design of a non-invasive viability assay to assist in the selection of embryos for transfer in human assisted reproduction.

Section snippets

Mandy Katz-Jaffe is a reproductive geneticist who was awarded her PhD in 2004 from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. After completing her thesis she moved to the USA to join the research team at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. Her ongoing research as Genetics Director focuses on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with embryonic development as well as identifying biomarkers of viability.

References (46)

  • Y Meng et al.

    The protein profile of mouse mature cumulus–oocyte complex

    Biochimica et Biophysica Acta

    (2007)
  • N Sageshima et al.

    Soluble HLA-G is absent from human embryo cultures: a reassessment of sHLA-G detection methods

    Journal of Reproductive Immunology

    (2007)
  • I Sargent et al.

    sHLA-G production by human IVF embryos: can it be measured reliably?

    Journal of Reproductive Immunology

    (2007)
  • V Seibert et al.

    Surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI TOF-MS) and ProteinChip technology in proteomics research

    Pathology, Research and Practice

    (2004)
  • E Seli et al.

    Noninvasive metabolomic profiling of embryo culture media using Raman and near-infrared spectroscopy correlates with reproductive potential of embryos in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization

    Fertility and Sterility

    (2007)
  • G Sher et al.

    Soluble human leukocyte antigen G expression in phase I culture media at 46 h after fertilization predicts pregnancy and implantation from day 3 embryo transfer

    Fertility and Sterility

    (2005)
  • AC Varghese et al.

    Emerging technology for the molecular study of infertility, and potential clinical applications

    Reproductive BioMedicine Online

    (2007)
  • Y Wang et al.

    Increases in phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK and p38MAPK correlate negatively with mouse embryo development after culture in different media

    Fertility and Sterility

    (2005)
  • Z Xiao et al.

    Proteomic patterns: their potential for disease diagnosis

    Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology

    (2005)
  • DR Brison et al.

    Identification of viable embryos in IVF by non-invasive measurement of amino acid turnover

    Human Reproduction

    (2004)
  • T Ebner et al.

    Selection based on morphological assessment of oocytes and embryos at different stages of preimplantation development: a review

    Human Reproduction Update

    (2003)
  • Z Ellederova et al.

    Protein patterns of pig oocytes during in-vitro maturation

    Biology of Reproduction

    (2004)
  • DK Gardner et al.

    Alleviation of the ‘2-cell block’ and development to the blastocyst of CF1 mouse embryos: role of amino acids, EDTA and physical parameters

    Human Reproduction

    (1996)
  • Cited by (0)

    Mandy Katz-Jaffe is a reproductive geneticist who was awarded her PhD in 2004 from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. After completing her thesis she moved to the USA to join the research team at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. Her ongoing research as Genetics Director focuses on the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with embryonic development as well as identifying biomarkers of viability.

    Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.

    View full text