Researchers found they can detect chromosomal abnormalities that occur before the first cell division of an embryo. Photo: Tatiana Shepeleva/Shutterstock

PORTLAND, Ore., July 7 (UPI) -- Scientists have discovered indicators for chromosomal abnormalities in human embryos created for in vitro fertilization within the first 30 hours of their development, a vast improvement over the five or six days they previously have had to wait.

By shortening the time needed before abnormalities can be detected, doctors may be able to make better selections when choosing which embryos to use for implantation and shorten the amount of time an embryo is cultured in the lab.


Between 50 and 80 percent of embryos created for in vitro fertilization have a chromosomal abnormality and result in miscarriage, rather than developing into a pregnancy.

"Many couples are choosing to have children later in life, and this trend is only going to continue," said Shawn Chavez, an assistant professor at the Oregon Health and Science School of Medicine, in a press release. "A failed IVF attempt takes an emotional toll on a woman who is anticipating a pregnancy as well as a financial toll on families, with a single IVF treatment costing thousands and thousands of dollars per cycle."

Researchers found that by using single-cell genetic profiling and noninvasive imaging they were able to identify chromosomally normal and abnormal embryos up to the 8-cell stage of development. They can tell this based on a subset of 12 genes that are activated before the first cell division in the embryo's development.

The study is published in Nature Communications.