Mitochondrial DNA Levels in Trophectodermal Cells Show No Association with Blastocyst Development and Pregnancy Outcomes

G Ritu; Geetha Veerasigamani; Mohammed C Ashraf; Sankalp Singh; Saniya Laheri; Stacy Colaco; Deepak Modi

doi:10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_103_21

Mitochondrial DNA Levels in Trophectodermal Cells Show No Association with Blastocyst Development and Pregnancy Outcomes

J Hum Reprod Sci. 2022 Jan-Mar;15(1):82-89. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_103_21. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Authors

G Ritu¹, Geetha Veerasigamani², Mohammed C Ashraf², Sankalp Singh², Saniya Laheri³, Stacy Colaco³, Deepak Modi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Genetics, Craft Hospital and Research Center, Trissur District, Kerala, India.
² Reproductive Medicine, Craft Hospital and Research Center, Trissur District, Kerala, India.
³ Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract

Background: In patients undergoing assisted reproduction, levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the trophectodermal cells of the developing blastocyst are suggested to be associated with its ability to implant. However, discrepancies exist regarding the use of mtDNA levels as a reliable biomarker to predict outcomes of assisted reproduction.

Aims: The aim of the study is to explore the association of trophectodermal mtDNA levels to determine blastocyst quality, implantation potential of blastocyst and clinical outcomes in couples who have undergone pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).

Study setting: Private fertility centre.

Study design: Retrospective analysis.

Materials and methods: We analysed mtDNA levels in the trophectodermal cells of 287 blastocysts from 61 couples undergoing PGT-A. The levels of mtDNA were estimated by next-generation sequencing method. mtDNA levels were correlated with maternal age, blastocyst morphology, ploidy status, implantation rates, miscarriage rate and live birth rate.

Statistical analysis used: Linear regression and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's all column comparison test.

Results: The trophectodermal mtDNA levels did not correlate with maternal age. There were no significant differences in their levels in grade 1 and grade 2 blastocysts. No significant differences were seen between mtDNA levels of implanted and non-implanted blastocysts or those blastocysts that resulted in miscarriage or live birth. However, significantly lower amounts of mtDNA were seen in euploid blastocysts as compared to that in aneuploid blastocysts.

Conclusion: mtDNA levels in the trophectodermal cells of the blastocyst do not associate with blastocyst quality (grade 1 and grade 2), implantation potential and clinical outcomes but can differentiate between aneuploid and euploid blastocysts. Our study does not support the use of trophectodermal mtDNA levels as a biomarker for blastocyst quality and predictor of clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Aneuploidy; implantation; live birth; maternal age; miscarriage rate; morphology; next-generation sequencing.