The mitochondrial DNA test is a new scoring mechanism meant to help aid the selection of embryos that have the highest chances of implantation. In this guide, we’ll talk about what the mitoscore can, and can’t, tell you.
You may have recently gotten an embryo genetic report from your IVF clinic including something called a mitoscore. This data was not around during my first two rounds of IVF, but I did get the report for my third and fourth rounds in 2020. This is a relatively new scoring mechanism, and in this article, we’ll dive into what the heck it means.
What is a mitoscore?
A mitoscore of an embryo is a number created during mitochondrial DNA testing. Mitochondria are structures within cells that play an essential role in energy production. They have their own DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. The number of mtDNA of a chromosomally normal embryo is related to a state of energy, which affects the ability of the embryo to implant in the uterus. Mitochondrial function, mtDNA gene expression, and energy are required to undergo necessary cellular divisions to form a high quality embryo. Some early studies have shown that higher mtDNA content in an embryo indicates a low level of energy, and thus, a lower chance of implantation.
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