                            stdClass Object
(
    [post_id] => 1189
    [category_id] => 4
    [id] => 4
    [language_code] => en
    [title] => News
    [description] => News
    [slug] => news
    [meta_title] => News
    [meta_description] => News
    [meta_keyword] => News
    [content] => 
    [parent_id] => 0
    [thumbnail] => 
    [banner] => trang_chu/tt_xn/gioi_thieu_ttxn_gentis_(10).jpg
    [is_featured] => 
    [files] => 
    [style] => 
    [class] => 
    [type] => post
    [order] => 1
    [is_status] => 1
    [created_time] => 2019-08-24 10:39:48
    [updated_time] => 2021-09-07 13:05:32
    [created_by] => 
    [updated_by] => 
    [ratting] => 
    [retionship] => 
    [question] => 
    [url_video] => 
    [link] => 
    [i_con] => 
)
1

ASEM Test - A Valuable Tool in Assisted Reproduction

Created date : 15-03-2024

Updated date: 04-09-2024

Author: Gentis

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is currently recognized as one of the most effective and widely used treatments for infertility. To support this technique, numerous new technologies have been developed and applied in clinical practice. Among these, the Analysis of Spent Embryo Medium (ASEM) test, which analyzes the DNA present in the embryo culture medium, has garnered significant attention. This method has been shown to significantly improve pregnancy rates, increase the success of IVF, and reduce the risk of miscarriage.

Overview of the ASEM Test

Chromosomal aneuploidy is a relatively common condition in human embryos, with rates ranging from 20% to 80% depending on maternal age. Approximately 10% of clinical pregnancies are found to have triploidy or monosomy, and this rate can rise to 50% in older pregnant women. Aneuploidy can lead to implantation failure or be a major cause of recurrent miscarriage.

The ASEM test evaluates the chromosomal genetic status of embryos through the embryo culture medium.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) is currently recommended for couples undergoing IVF to select embryos without chromosomal aneuploidy for transfer.

PGT-A has been shown to increase successful embryo transfer rates, shorten the time to conception through euploid embryo transfer, and reduce the number of transfers, miscarriage rates, and overall costs, especially in older women. To perform PGT-A, embryo biopsy is required to obtain the necessary material for testing.

In contrast, the ASEM test (Analysis of Spent Embryo Medium) assesses the chromosomal genetic status of embryos through the embryo culture medium without requiring an embryo biopsy. The ASEM test is based on the presence of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the culture medium. Studies have shown that blastocyst culture medium can be used to evaluate the genetic status of embryos.

Advantages of the ASEM Test

Because the ASEM test is performed on the embryo culture medium, it is non-invasive and safe.

Unlike traditional methods that require embryo biopsy, the ASEM test offers several notable advantages:

Reduced Costs: It eliminates the need for equipment investment for embryo biopsy and the requirement for skilled embryologists to perform the biopsy.
Non-Invasive: The ASEM test does not disturb the embryo, which is particularly beneficial for poorly developing embryos where biopsy could be detrimental. It allows for the assessment of chromosomal aneuploidy before embryo transfer without invasive procedures.
Useful in Certain Situations: In cases where embryo biopsy for PGT-A cannot be performed for various reasons, the ASEM test provides valuable genetic information about the embryo.

The Role of the ASEM Test in Assisted Reproduction

The ASEM test represents a breakthrough in genetic diagnosis and is a valuable tool in the field of assisted reproduction. When combined with morphological evaluation, it helps select embryos with the best potential for transfer in cases where embryo biopsy for PGT-A is not feasible. The goal is to increase the success rates of embryo transfers and reduce miscarriage rates for infertile couples.

ASEM Testing at GENTIS

GENTIS is the first institution in Vietnam to implement and offer the ASEM test. Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, MSc, Director of the GENTIS Testing Center, stated: "GENTIS continues to research and evaluate the effectiveness of the ASEM test to improve the quality of IVF/ICSI cycles, with the aim of enhancing successful embryo transfer rates."

To assess the clinical effectiveness of the ASEM test, GENTIS has collaborated with several hospitals and assisted reproduction centers nationwide. Notably, GENTIS and Hanh Phuc International Hospital conducted a study titled "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Genetic Analysis of Embryo Culture Medium."

The study compared clinical outcomes between two groups: one that selected embryos for transfer based solely on morphological evaluation (control group) and another that used both morphological evaluation and ASEM test results (study group). The study found live birth rates of 38.6% in the control group and 41.1% in the study group. Additionally, the miscarriage rate in the study group was 0% (no miscarriages were recorded) compared to 12.9% in the control group.

These preliminary findings suggest that the ASEM test has the potential to increase live birth rates and significantly reduce miscarriage rates. This is crucial in preventing the physical and emotional trauma associated with miscarriage.

The initial successes of the ASEM test further solidified GENTIS’s leading position in the field of genetic analysis in Vietnam. GENTIS hopes that the ASEM test will become a routine clinical practice in hospitals and IVF centers worldwide, bringing joy and happiness to couples of reproductive age who need medical assistance to conceive and give birth to healthy babies.