Method for determining embryo quality
A method for determining embryo quality involving measuring soluble HLA-G levels present in the embryo culture medium at least 44-46 hours post-fertilization is provided. Culture media and in vitro fertilization programs employing same are also provided.
1 . A method for determining embryo quality by measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium at least 44-46 hours post fertilization.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium is measured at least 67 hours post fertilization.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium is measured at least 72 hours post fertilization.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium is measured at least 84 hours post fertilization.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium is measured at least 96 hours post fertilization.
6 . The method of claim 1 which additionally comprises a step wherein the embryos are evaluated using a graduated embryo score.
7 . The method of claim 2 which additionally comprises a step wherein the embryos are evaluated using a graduated embryo score.
8 . The method of claim 3 which additionally comprises a step wherein the embryos are evaluated using a graduated embryo score.
9 . The method of claim 4 which additionally comprises a step wherein the embryos are evaluated using a graduated embryo score.
10 . The method of claim 5 which additionally comprises a step wherein the embryos are evaluated using a graduated embryo score.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful implantation of an embryo.
12 . The method of claim 2 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful implantation of an embryo.
13 . The method of claim 3 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful implantation of an embryo.
14 . The method of claim 4 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful implantation of an embryo.
15 . The method of claim 5 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful implantation of an embryo.
16 . The method of claim 1 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful short term storage of an embryo.
17 . The method of claim 2 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful short term storage of an embryo.
18 . The method of claim 3 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful short term storage of an embryo.
19 . The method of claim 4 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful short term storage of an embryo.
20 . The method of claim 5 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful short term storage of an embryo.
21 . The method of claim 1 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful long term storage of an embryo.
22 . The method of claim 2 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful long term storage of an embryo.
23 . The method of claim 3 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful long term storage of an embryo.
24 . The method of claim 4 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful long term storage of an embryo.
25 . The method of claim 5 wherein embryo quality is used to determine the potential for successful long term storage of an embryo.
26 . The method of claim 21 wherein said long term storage of an embryo involves cryopreservation.
27 . The method of claim 22 wherein said long term storage of an embryo involves cryopreservation.
28 . The method of claim 23 wherein said long term storage of an embryo involves cryopreservation.
29 . The method of claim 24 wherein said long term storage of an embryo involves cryopreservation.
30 . The method of claim 25 wherein said long term storage of an embryo involves cryopreservation.
31 . The method of claim 1 wherein said levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium are from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
32 . The method of claim 2 wherein said levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium are from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
33 . The method of claim 3 wherein said levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium are from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
34 . The method of claim 4 wherein said levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium are from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
35 . The method of claim 5 wherein said levels of soluble HLA-G in the embryo culture medium are from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
36 . An embryo culture medium comprising an amount of soluble HLA-G from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 , wherein said medium provides an embryo that is competent for use in subsequent procedures, and wherein said soluble HLA-G level is measured at 44-46 hours post fertilization.
37 . The culture medium of claim 36 wherein subsequent procedure is selected from the group consisting of embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, implantation, short-term storage, long term storage, and cryopreservation.
38 . An embryo culture medium comprising an amount of soluble HLA-G from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 , wherein said medium provides an embryo that is competent for use in subsequent procedures, and wherein said soluble HLA-G level is measured at 67 hours post fertilization.
39 . The culture medium of claim 38 wherein subsequent procedure is selected from the group consisting of embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, implantation, short-term storage, long term storage, and cryopreservation.
40 . An embryo culture medium comprising an amount of soluble HLA-G from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 , wherein said medium provides an embryo that is competent for use in subsequent procedures, and wherein said soluble HLA-G level is measured at 72 hours post fertilization.
41 . The culture medium of claim 40 wherein subsequent procedure is selected from the group consisting of embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, implantation, short-term storage, long term storage, and cryopreservation.
42 . An embryo culture medium comprising an amount of soluble HLA-G from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 , wherein said medium provides an embryo that is competent for use in subsequent procedures, and wherein said soluble HLA-G level is measured at 84 hours post fertilization.
43 . The culture medium of claim 42 wherein subsequent procedure is selected from the group consisting of embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, implantation, short-term storage, long term storage, and cryopreservation.
44 . An embryo culture medium comprising an amount of soluble HLA-G from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 , wherein said medium provides an embryo that is competent for use in subsequent procedures, and wherein said soluble HLA-G level is measured at 96 hours post fertilization.
45 . The culture medium of claim 44 wherein subsequent procedure is selected from the group consisting of embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, implantation, short-term storage, long term storage, and cryopreservation.
46 . An in vitro fertilization (WF) program comprising:
contacting a human egg with a human sperm to form an fertilized egg;
growing the resulting embryo in vitro in a chemically defined medium;
measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the medium at least 44-46 hours post fertilization; and
transferring the embryo into a compatible human uterus.
47 . An IVF program of claim 46 wherein the level of soluble HLA-G is from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
48 . An in vitro fertilization (IVF) program comprising:
contacting a human egg with a human sperm to form an fertilized egg;
growing the resulting embryo in vitro in a chemically defined medium;
measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the medium at least 67 hours post fertilization; and
transferring the embryo into a compatible human uterus.
49 . An IVF program of claim 48 wherein the level of soluble HLA-G is from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
50 . An in vitro fertilization (IVF) program comprising:
contacting a human egg with a human sperm to form an fertilized egg;
growing the resulting embryo in vitro in a chemically defined medium;
measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the medium at least 72 hours post fertilization; and
transferring the embryo into a compatible human uterus.
51 . An IVF program of claim 50 wherein the level of soluble HLA-G is from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
52 . An in vitro fertilization (IVF) program comprising:
contacting a human egg with a human sperm to form an fertilized egg;
growing the resulting embryo in vitro in a chemically defined medium;
measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the medium at least 84 hours post fertilization; and
transferring the embryo into a compatible human uterus.
53 . An IVF program of claim 52 wherein the level of soluble HLA-G is from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .
54 . An in vitro fertilization (IVF) program comprising:
contacting a human egg with a human sperm to form an fertilized egg;
growing the resulting embryo in vitro in a chemically defined medium;
measuring the levels of soluble HLA-G in the medium at least 96 hours post fertilization; and
transferring the embryo into a compatible human uterus.
55 . An IVF program of claim 54 wherein the level of soluble HLA-G is from about 0.150 to about 0.300 OD 450 .