Oocyte quality is perhaps the most important limiting factor in female fertility; however, the current methods of determining oocyte competence are only marginally capable of predicting a successful pregnancy. We aim to review the predictive value of non-invasive techniques for the assessment of human oocytes and their related cells and biofluids that pertain to their developmental competence. Investigation of the proteome, transcriptome, and hormonal makeup of follicular fluid, as well as cumulus-oocyte complexes are currently underway; however, prospective randomized non-selection-controlled trials of the future are needed before determining their prognostic value. The biological significance of polar body morphology and genetics are still unknown and the subject of debate. The predictive utility of zygotic viscoelasticity for embryo development has been demonstrated, but similar studies performed on oocytes have yet to be conducted. Metabolic profiling of culture media using human oocytes are also limited and may require integration of automated, high-throughput targeted metabolomic assessments in real time with microfluidic platforms. Light exposure to oocytes can be detrimental to subsequent development and utilization of time-lapse imaging and morphometrics of oocytes is wanting. Polarized light, Raman microspectroscopy, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering are a few novel imaging tools that may play a more important role in future oocyte assessment. Ultimately, the integration of chemistry, genomics, microfluidics, microscopy, physics, and other biomedical engineering technologies into the basic studies of oocyte biology, and in testing and perfecting practical solutions of oocyte evaluation, are the future for non-invasive assessment of oocytes.
Abstract Objective To determine the implications of an incidentally noted subchorionic hematoma on pregnancy outcomes in the infertile population. Methods Retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care, university‐based facility. All patients with intrauterine pregnancy on initial obstetric ultrasound presenting to an infertility clinic between January 2015 and March 2018 ( n = 1210), regardless of treatment cycle, were included. Nonviable pregnancies were excluded. The main outcome measured was association between subchorionic hematoma and first trimester miscarriage. Results The prevalence of subchorionic hematoma was 12.5% ( n = 151) and did not differ by type of fertility treatment. There was no association between subchorionic hematoma and first trimester miscarriage; however, among patients with subchorionic hematoma, those who reported both bleeding and cramping had an increased probability of miscarriage compared to those without symptoms (0.62 vs. 0.12, P < 0.001). The live birth rate in this sample was 81.3% and there were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between those with and without subchorionic hematoma. Conclusion Among an infertile population, there was no increased risk of miscarriage when subchorionic hematoma was seen on early ultrasound; however, when patients noted both vaginal bleeding and cramping, their probability of miscarriage was significantly increased.
