Comprehensive profiling of Small RNAs in human embryo-conditioned culture media by improved sequencing and quantitative PCR methods.

We report the first comprehensive sequencing of sncRNAs in ECCM with a sequencing sensitivity of 3 single embryo drops, capturing ~150 miRNAs and an abundance of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). We then profiled 15 sncRNAs by qPCR and determined that the assay maintains sensitivity in single ECCM drops. Finally, we found significant differences in these sncRNA expression between control and ECCM drops. Improving embryo selection is crucial for reducing time to pregnancy. Here we describe a sensitive technique for biomarker discovery by sequencing and qPCR validation in ECCM, demonstrating that the majority of sncRNAs are embryo derived. We also report an abundance of tsRNAs which suggests these sncRNAs may have functions in endometrial-maternal communication beyond the microRNAs which have been described previously.Abbreviations: PGT-A: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies; ECCM: Embryo-conditioned culture media; sncRNAs: Small non-coding RNAs; miRNAs: microRNAs; EVs: Extracellular vesicles; PCA: Principal component analysis. PMID: 32053759 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Syst Biol Reprod Med Source Type: research