A groundbreaking technology developed by the “Bioengineering in Reproductive Health” team at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) promises to transform assisted reproduction. Known as METAPHOR, this innovative method offers a non-invasive way to visualize the metabolism of embryos obtained through in vitro fertilization (IVF), enhancing the selection of embryos most likely to successfully implant and develop to full term.
METAPHOR generates high-resolution 3D images that capture metabolic activity within embryos, revealing crucial information about cellular respiration and nutrient consumption. By analyzing naturally fluorescent compounds indicative of embryo health, METAPHOR surpasses traditional microscopy methods in accuracy and reliability.
“This new technology will significantly improve success rates in assisted reproduction, reducing the ‘time to pregnancy’ and alleviating both economic and psychological burdens for patients,” explains Samuel Ojosnegros, principal investigator at IBEC.
Published in the esteemed journal PNAS, the research highlights METAPHOR’s success in doubling the rate of viable embryo selection compared to conventional methods in studies involving mice. Beyond embryo assessment, METAPHOR excels in analyzing oocyte metabolism, enabling the precise selection of optimal oocytes for IVF.
Researchers, led by senior researcher Anna Seriola, demonstrated METAPHOR’s ability to differentiate between oocytes from young and older females with 96% accuracy. Moreover, the technology predicted embryo viability with over 80% accuracy, a groundbreaking achievement that could revolutionize fertility treatments and preservation strategies.
“The key lies in identifying molecular signatures associated with egg quality decline due to aging, such as mitochondrial distribution. This insight allows us to predict developmental outcomes, marking a significant advancement in fertility management,” Seriola explains.
METAPHOR employs hyperspectral microscopy and artificial intelligence to analyze complex metabolic images swiftly and effectively. Albert Parra, first author of the study, emphasizes the technology’s capability to process and classify data, enabling rapid decision-making in assisted reproduction clinics.
With plans to refine the technology for human embryo evaluation, IBEC researchers have initiated a spin-off company aimed at integrating METAPHOR into clinical practice within the near future. This initiative promises to empower clinicians with a state-of-the-art tool for enhancing the success of IVF procedures and advancing reproductive health outcomes globally.
