The meeting was attended by Dr. Tang Duc Cuong (Specialist Level II) – Director of Dong Do IVF Center, MSc. Dr. Ngo Thi Diem – Head of the Obstetrics Department, along with physicians, nurses, and laboratory technicians from the hospital.
During the discussion, Dr. Nguyen Quang Vinh presented an overview of the cell-free DNA PGT (ASEM test), a non-invasive embryo culture medium-based genetic test currently attracting attention in the field of IVF. He explained that this technique analyzes cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from embryonic cells through apoptosis or necrosis, originating from both the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm. However, to ensure accuracy, it is crucial to completely eliminate maternal granulosa or cumulus cells, as contamination with exogenous DNA can significantly affect the results.
Dr. Vinh also addressed several studies comparing the concordance between cfDNA in the culture medium and traditional biopsy samples such as TE, ICM, or cord blood, providing a comprehensive view of the test’s clinical potential. He emphasized that laboratory procedures in the IVF unit play a decisive role in sample quality—from thoroughly removing surrounding cells after fertilization, changing culture medium on Day 3, washing embryos carefully on Day 4, to culturing embryos in a 20 µl drop from the afternoon of Day 4 to Day 5 for at least 22 hours to obtain sufficient DNA. When the embryo reaches Day 5/Day 6, the technician collapses the embryo and collects the entire medium into a PCR tube with a preservation buffer, ensuring tip changes between samples and storing at -20°C to -80°C before analysis.
The ASEM test can detect aneuploidies of 22 autosomes, large structural abnormalities greater than 40Mb, and can report mosaicism at levels of 50% or higher. Results are available within approximately 7 days. Based on analytical data, experts provided clinical suggestions such as considering the transfer of 46XX embryos, with 46XY embryos being more strongly recommended, while embryos carrying abnormalities such as -1q or -15 deletions are generally not advised for transfer. Dr. Vinh concluded by stressing that ASEM technology only delivers real value when embryo culture, washing, and medium collection processes in the IVF laboratory are meticulously executed, as precision in every step determines the reliability and clinical relevance of the test results.
The session provided in-depth knowledge and important updates, contributing to Dong Do Hospital’s application of advanced genetic technologies to improve the effectiveness of assisted reproductive treatments.
Beyond theoretical presentation, Dr. Nguyen Quang Vinh also addressed clinicians’ questions regarding real clinical cases. These detailed analyses helped the Dong Do medical team better understand the coordination process between the IVF laboratory, IVF center, and testing unit to optimize patient outcomes.
Continuing the session, Dr. Vinh emphasized EUROFINS GENTIS’s development direction in implementing new technologies, expanding collaboration with IVF centers, and enhancing testing quality according to international standards. Dong Do Hospital highly appreciated the expert team’s updated insights and reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate in improving assisted reproductive care.
Concluding the exchange, Dr. Tang Đuc Cuong expressed his gratitude to the EUROFINS GENTIS delegation. He highlighted that the updated knowledge on ASEM testing not only helps clinicians better understand the potential of modern genetic techniques but also opens new approaches for optimizing embryo selection in difficult IVF cases. He affirmed that Dong Do Hospital is committed to closely cooperating with EUROFINS GENTIS to standardize procedures, enhance sample quality, and progress toward adopting ASEM as an important clinical support tool in the near future. According to Dr. Cương, this partnership will bring practical benefits to patients, especially infertile couples hoping for a chance to become parents.
The session concluded in an open and collaborative atmosphere. The event reaffirmed EUROFINS GENTIS’s commitment to providing precise, modern, and effective testing solutions, contributing to increasing the chances of parenthood for thousands of Vietnamese families.
