Assessment of numeric abnormalities of X, Y, 18, and 16 chromosomes in preimplantation human embryos before transfer.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to determine the feasibility of ascertaining aneuploidy for chromosomes X, Y, 18, and 16 by use of multiple-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization in blastomeres from preimplantation human embryos.

STUDY DESIGN

A short fluorescence in situ hybridization procedure involving the simultaneous use of four deoxyribonucleic acid probes detected with red, green, blue, or a mixture of red and green fluorochromes was developed to determine numeric abnormalities of chromosomes X, Y, 18, and 16. Embryos underwent biopsy, and all or most cells were analyzed to distinguish true aneuploidy from mosaicism and to assess technique variations within the same embryo (n = 64).

RESULTS

The analysis of all the blastomeres of an embryo was achieved in 91% of the embryos. Successful analyses including biopsy, fixation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization were achieved in 87.8% of the blastomeres. Of the four chromosomes tested, numeric aberrations were found in 23% and 42% of normally and abnormally developing embryos, respectively, including aneuploidy, polyploidy, haploidy, and mosaicism. When diploid embryos containing one or several tetraploid cells are counted as chromosomally abnormal, then 49% and 61% of normally and abnormally developing embryos, respectively, were chromosomally abnormal. Aneuploid embryos consisted of two monosomies for chromosome 16, one for chromosome 18, and a trisomy for chromosome 16. There was a tendency for aneuploidy to increase with maternal age.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluorescence in situ hybridization is a more efficient method than cytogenetic analysis to study specific aneuploidies at preimplantation stages of development in human embryos. In addition, the preimplantation genetic diagnosis of two blastomeres per eight-cell embryo may be sufficient to ensure successful analysis of polyploidy, haploidy, and specific aneuploidies without endangering the survival of the embryo. The technique can be easily modified to consider other chromosomes, including 13 and 21. Because most chromosomally abnormal embryos do not develop to term, the use of this technique may increase the delivery rate per embryo by allowing only transfer of embryos normal for the tested chromosomes. This technique would be most useful for older women undergoing in vitro fertilization, because aneuploidy appears to increase with advancing maternal age.