Raman Spectroscopy for the Differential Diagnosis of Human Embryo Genetic Status

The Raman spectroscopic study of embryo spent culture medium (SCM) in a liquid state was conducted for the first time. It confirmed statistically significant spectral differences between media from euploid (without chromosomal abnormalities) and aneuploid (with chromosomal abnormalities) embryos. Distinct spectral variations were observed in regions associated with DNA/RNA, phospholipids, and Amide I (1420−1480, 1530−1580, and 1640−1690 cm–1), which may stem from the release of cellular content due to apoptosis typical of aneuploid embryos. A classification accuracy of 65% achieved on a test set of 60 embryos demonstrates the fundamental feasibility of this differentiation. However, further refinement of the SCM analysis method based on Raman spectroscopy is required before clinical implementation as an alternative to standard preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A).