USE OF NON-LINEAR IMAGING TECHNIQUES IN THE EVALUATION OF PRE-IMPLANTATION EMBRYO QUALITY AND THE FACILITATION OF A SUCCESSFUL PREGNANCY

摘要

Provided herein are methods to evaluate pre-implantation mouse embryo health and consequently allow embryo selection for transfer in the uterus and successful pregnancy outcome. Non linear (Two Photon Excitation Fluorescence (TPEF) Second and Third Harmonic Generation (SHG, and THG)) imaging techniques have been used as diagnostic tools for the in vivo delineation and mapping of sub-cellular biological structures and processes. By employing these non linear imaging modalities, valuable and complementary information as to the energetic status of the pre-implantation embryo are being extracted. The energetic profile of the embryo is directly correlated to the developmental stage of the embryo. Each time point of every developmental stage is being characterized by a specific energetic profile which can be recorded in a data bank and provide information as to the health status of the embryo.