Preimplantation diagnosis: Blood analysis of mice born following single-cell embryo biopsy

Abstract

Single-cell embryo biopsy is an important technique in preimplantation diagnosis. The development of the mouse embryo and fetus, and the results of some analyses after birth following embryo biopsy, have been demonstrated to be normal. Histopathological analysis of mice born following single-cell embryo biopsy with a physical method (zona puncture) also showed normal organ and cell structure, thus demonstrating the safety of embryo biopsy. This experiment analysed the parameters of blood cells and the blood chemistry of 28 mice born following single-cell embryo biopsy. White cell count, red cell count, haemoglobin level and platelet count of the blood, and plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, glucose, albumin, protein, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase of the blood were not significantly different between the mice from the biopsied and the control embryo groups, which again demonstrated the safety of single-cell embryo biopsy. The remaining totipotent cells in the biopsied embryos would thus be expected to develop to the correct cell counts and normal organic functions according to the intact hereditary messages. Further studies on the safety of embryo biopsy (including long-term observation after birth) and the improvement of the different biopsy techniques and skills for preimplantation diagnosis are necessary.