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Olmedo C, Veiga E, Sánchez L, Ferrer E, Ortiz N, Mauri A, Fernández M, Martínez L, López-Regalado ML, Iglesias M. ASEBIR Quality Special Interest Group guidance for quality in assisted reproduction technology. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103730. [PMID: 38368763 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Assisted human reproduction has undergone rapid advances since its inception 45 years ago. To keep pace with these advances, assisted reproduction laboratories should adhere to a quality management system that addresses staffing and training, physical space and air quality, equipment maintenance and other operational matters, and ensures gamete and embryo handling in accordance with the latest quality and safety standards. Accordingly, this review aims to provide a reference document that highlights the critical aspects to consider when establishing and operating an ART laboratory. The review collates and expands upon published national and international guidelines and consensus documents, providing easier access to this large body of important information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Olmedo
- Unidad de Medicina Reproductiva, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Ernesto Veiga
- Laboratorio Central/Unidad de Reproducción Humana Asistida, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela A Coruña, Spain
| | - Lourdes Sánchez
- Unidad de Reproducción Asistida, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Empar Ferrer
- Laboratorio de Embriología, Centro Médico de Reproducción Asistida (CREA), Valencia, Spain
| | - Nereida Ortiz
- Unidad de Reproducción, Hospital Universitario Torrejón de Ardóz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Mauri
- Laboratorio de Embriología, Procrear, Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - María Fernández
- Laboratorio de Embriología, Clínica Ergo, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis Martínez
- Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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Bartolacci A, Tondo F, Alteri A, Solano Narduche L, de Girolamo S, D’Alessandro G, Rabellotti E, Papaleo E, Pagliardini L. The Task Matters: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Literature Score of the Effects of Chemical and Physical Parameters on Embryo Developmental Competence. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2161. [PMID: 38004301 PMCID: PMC10671934 DOI: 10.3390/life13112161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the effects of chemical and physical parameters on embryo developmental competence, we conducted a systematic search on PubMed for peer-reviewed original papers using specific keywords and medical subject heading terms. Studies of interest were selected from an initial cohort of 4141 potentially relevant records retrieved. The most relevant publications were critically evaluated to identify the effect of these parameters on embryo development. Moreover, we generated a literature score (LS) using the following procedure: (i) the number of studies favoring a reference group was expressed as a fraction of all analyzed papers; (ii) the obtained fraction was multiplied by 10 and converted into a decimal number. We identified and discussed six parameters (oxygen, temperature, humidity, oil overlay, light, pH). Moreover, we generated a LS according to five different comparisons (37 °C vs. <37 °C; 5% vs. 20% oxygen; 5-2% vs. 5% oxygen; humidity conditions vs. dry conditions; light exposure vs. reduced/protected light exposure). Only two comparisons (37 °C vs. <37 °C and 5% vs. 20% oxygen) yielded a medium-high LS (8.3 and 7, respectively), suggesting a prevalence of studies in favor of the reference group (37 °C and 5% oxygen). In summary, this review and LS methodology offer semi-quantitative information on studies investigating the effects of chemical and physical parameters on embryo developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Bartolacci
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Francesca Tondo
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Alteri
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Lisett Solano Narduche
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.S.N.); (L.P.)
| | - Sofia de Girolamo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Giulia D’Alessandro
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Elisa Rabellotti
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Enrico Papaleo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.A.); (S.d.G.); (G.D.); (E.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Luca Pagliardini
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (L.S.N.); (L.P.)
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Sciorio R, Rinaudo P. Culture conditions in the IVF laboratory: state of the ART and possible new directions. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2591-2607. [PMID: 37725178 PMCID: PMC10643723 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02934-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last four decades, the assisted reproductive technology (ART) field has witnessed advances, resulting in improving pregnancy rates and diminishing complications, in particular reduced incidence of multiple births. These improvements are secondary to advanced knowledge on embryonic physiology and metabolism, resulting in the ability to design new and improved culture conditions. Indeed, the incubator represents only a surrogate of the oviduct and uterus, and the culture conditions are only imitating the physiological environment of the female reproductive tract. In vivo, the embryo travels through a dynamic and changing environment from the oviduct to the uterus, while in vitro, the embryo is cultured in a static fashion. Importantly, while culture media play a critical role in optimising embryo development, a large host of additional factors are equally important. Additional potential variables, including but not limited to pH, temperature, osmolality, gas concentrations and light exposure need to be carefully controlled to prevent stress and permit optimal implantation potential. This manuscript will provide an overview of how different current culture conditions may affect oocyte and embryo viability with particular focus on human literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, CHUV-Lausanne University Hospital, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Pham HH, Dang QT, Nguyen HN, Tran CT, Pham QT, Mol BW, Dang VQ. The effectiveness of Paraffin oil and Mineral oil for day-5 embryo culture in couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 275:59-63. [PMID: 35749967 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effectiveness of Paraffin oil versus Mineral oil for day-5 embryo culture in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). METHODS We performed a multi-centre, retrospective cohort study at IVFMD (My Duc Hospital) and IVFMD Phu Nhuan (My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital) from January 2019 to September 2019. We studied couples treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), using fresh, ejaculated semen and undergoing day-5 embryo transfer. Couples who underwent in vitro maturation (IVM) or oocyte donation cycles or couples where the woman had uterine abnormalities were excluded. From January 2019 to May 2019, we used Mineral oil (LiteOil, LifeGlobal) while Paraffin oil (Liquid Paraffin, Origio) was used from June 2019 to September 2019. The primary outcome was live birth rate after the first transfer, either from a fresh transfer or frozen embryo transfer. RESULTS Between 1st January 2019 to 30th September 2019, there were 2,312 couples undergoing ART in both centres, of which 762 (377 in the Paraffin group and 385 in the Mineral group) eligible couples were included in the study. Baseline characteristics of couples were comparable between the two groups, with mean female age 31.5 ± 4.3 versus 31.9 ± 4.7 in the Paraffin and Mineral group. Live birth after the first transfer occurred in 153 (40.6%) couples in the Paraffin group, compared to 152 (39.5%) couples in the Mineral group (risk ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.91 - 1.14). Other secondary outcomes were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION In day-5 embryo culture, Paraffin and Mineral oil resulted in a comparable live birth rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy H Pham
- IVFMD Phu Nhuan, My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Quyen T Dang
- IVFMD Phu Nhuan, My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Hue N Nguyen
- IVFMD Phu Nhuan, My Duc Phu Nhuan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Cam T Tran
- IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Quan T Pham
- HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Ben W Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Australia; Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Vinh Q Dang
- IVFMD, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; HOPE Research Centre, My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
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Use of mineral oil in IVF culture systems: physico-chemical aspects, management, and safety. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:883-892. [PMID: 35445905 PMCID: PMC9050982 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aims to summarize current knowledge on the use of oil in embryo culture systems, with a focus on proper management of different types of oil and possible impact on culture systems. METHODS PubMed was used to search the MEDLINE database for peer-reviewed English-language original articles and reviews concerning the use of oil in embryo culture systems. Searches were performed by adopting "embryo," "culture media," "oil," and "contaminants" as main terms. The most relevant publications were assessed and discussed critically. RESULTS Oils used in IVF are complex mixtures of straight-chain hydrocarbons, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, whose precise composition influences their chemical and physical properties. Possible presence of contaminants suggests their storage at 4 °C in the dark to prevent peroxidation. Washing, generally performed by manufacturers prior to commercialization, may remove trace chemical contaminants. Oils reduce evaporation from culture media at rates depending on their chemical physical properties, culture system parameters, and incubator atmosphere. Contaminants - mainly metal ion and plastic components derived from refinement processes and storage - can pass to the aqueous phase of culture systems and affect embryo development. CONCLUSIONS Oils are essential components of culture systems. Their original quality and composition, storage, handling, and use can affect embryo development with significant efficiency and safety implications.
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Agarwal A, Maldonado Rosas I, Anagnostopoulou C, Cannarella R, Boitrelle F, Munoz LV, Finelli R, Durairajanayagam D, Henkel R, Saleh R. Oxidative Stress and Assisted Reproduction: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pathophysiological Role and Strategies for Optimizing Embryo Culture Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030477. [PMID: 35326126 PMCID: PMC8944628 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants has been established as an important factor that can negatively affect the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Excess ROS exert their pathological effects through damage to cellular lipids, organelles, and DNA, alteration of enzymatic function, and apoptosis. ROS can be produced intracellularly, from immature sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Additionally, several external factors may induce high ROS production in the ART setup, including atmospheric oxygen, CO2 incubators, consumables, visible light, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, and culture media additives. Pathological amounts of ROS can also be generated during the cryopreservation-thawing process of gametes or embryos. Generally, these factors can act at any stage during ART, from gamete preparation to embryo development, till the blastocyst stage. In this review, we discuss the in vitro conditions and environmental factors responsible for the induction of OS in an ART setting. In addition, we describe the effects of OS on gametes and embryos. Furthermore, we highlight strategies to ameliorate the impact of OS during the whole human embryo culture period, from gametes to blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, 78300 Poissy, France;
- Department BREED, UVSQ, INRAE, Paris Saclay University, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Lina Villar Munoz
- Citmer Reproductive Medicine, IVF LAB, Mexico City 11520, Mexico; (I.M.R.); (L.V.M.)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- LogixX Pharma, Theale RG7 4AB, UK
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag 82524, Egypt
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