Analysis of Cell-Free DNA (as a genetic index for embryo quality) in an IranianWomen Undergoing IVF

1) Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is offered as a treatment for infertility in women. . The Cell free DNA in plasma/follicles were suggested as a biomarker for embryo quality in IVF. Higher the levels of Cell-free DNA indicate poorer embryo quality in the follicular fluid during IVF. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma and Fluid-follicle of women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer. 2) Methods: The study examined 100 women undergoing IVF treatment in an IVF unit in Yas Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran-Iran. Cell-free DNA was extracted from plasma and follicular fluid of patients using the NucleoSpin® Extraction Kit. The total cfDNA was examined by qPCR for ALBUMIN and GAPDH genes. 3) Results: we did not find a statistically significant association among the variables such as CT-plasma, CT-follicular fluid, delta-CT and average of these data between two groups (including patients who had a successful IVF cycle and those who had a failed IVF cycle). 4) Conclusion: Plasma and follicular fluid cfDNA may reflect the presence of factors which interfere with embryo implantation. Further research is required to determine the usefulness of cfDNA as a biomarker of IVF outcome and to examine the underlying pathologies as potential sources for increased plasma/follicular fluid cfDNA concentrations.