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Brouillet S, Gala A, Barry F, Anav M, Ferrieres-Hoa A, Andreeva A, Molinari N, Gaspari L, Loup V, Anahory T, Hamamah S. Artificial shrinkage before fresh blastocyst transfer and IVF outcomes: a pilot randomized controlled study. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:103941. [PMID: 38824764 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103941] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does artificial shrinkage before fresh blastocyst transfer improve clinical pregnancy rates in IVF? DESIGN In this monocentric prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study, 150 couples undergoing fresh single-blastocyst transfer were randomized between 20 May 2018 and 22 February 2022. In the artificial shrinkage group (AS group), a single laser pulse was directed to the cellular junction of the trophectoderm on the opposite side of the inner cell mass in each blastocyst. IVF outcomes were clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy and live birth rates. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration was also measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the blastocyst culture medium. RESULTS In total, 142 couples underwent fresh single-blastocyst transfer: control group, no artificial shrinkage, n = 47; and AS group, artificial shrinkage, n = 95; An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was employed. After a reassessment and the exclusion of patients with major protocol deviations, 139 couples underwent fresh single-blastocyst transfer under optimal conditions: control group, n = 47; and AS group, n = 92; a per-protocol analysis was used here. The clinical and laboratory characteristics were not significantly different between the groups. The clinical pregnancy rate was similar in the control and AS groups (ITT: 48.9% versus 49.5%, P = 0.97; per protocol: 48.94% versus 51.1%, P = 0.89). The multiple pregnancy rate and the live birth rate were also similar between the groups. No significant differences in gestational age, birthweight or proportion of male/female newborns were observed. The concentration of cfDNA in the blastocyst culture medium was not associated with IVF outcome. CONCLUSIONS Large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Brouillet
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Gala
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Fatima Barry
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Margaux Anav
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Alice Ferrieres-Hoa
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Aneta Andreeva
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Molinari
- Institut Desbrest d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, University of Montpellier, INSERM, PreMEdical, INRIA, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laura Gaspari
- Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Vanessa Loup
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France
| | - Tal Anahory
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Montpellier University Hospital, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, CHU and University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Developpement Embryonnaire Fertilite et Environnement, University of Montpellier, INSERM 1203, Montpellier, France.
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Van Der Kelen A, Keymolen K, Cools W, De Vos A, Pölsler L, De Vos M, Blockeel C, Fernandez-Gallardo E, De Rycke M, Berckmoes V, Verdyck P, Hes FJ, Verpoest W. A heatmap for expected cumulative live birth rate in preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders and chromosomal structural rearrangements. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:1907-1915. [PMID: 38753088 PMCID: PMC11263274 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03141-6] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our objective is to predict the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) and identify the specific subset within the population undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) and chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) which is likely to exhibit a diminished expected CLBR based on various patient demographics. METHODS We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study including 1522 women undergoing 3130 PGT cycles at a referral centre for PGT. A logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the CLBR per ovarian stimulation in women undergoing PGT-M by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, and in women undergoing PGT-SR by SNP array, array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) or next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS The mean age of women was 32.6 years, with a mean AMH of 2.75 µg/L. Female age and AMH significantly affected the expected CLBR irrespective of the inheritance mode or PGT technology. An expected CLBR < 10% was reached above the age of 42 years and AMH ≤ 1.25 µg/L. We found no significant difference in outcome per ovarian stimulation between the different PGT technologies, i.e. PCR, SNP array, array CGH and NGS. Whereas per embryo transfer, we noticed a significantly higher probability of live birth when SNP array, array CGH and NGS were used as compared to PCR. CONCLUSION In a PGT-setting, couples with an unfavourable female age and AMH should be informed of the prognosis to allow other reproductive choices. The heatmap produced in this study can be used as a visual tool for PGT couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelore Van Der Kelen
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Kathelijn Keymolen
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wilfried Cools
- Support for Quantitative and Qualitative Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anick De Vos
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Brussels IVF Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laura Pölsler
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel De Vos
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Brussels IVF Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Blockeel
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Brussels IVF Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elia Fernandez-Gallardo
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine De Rycke
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Veerle Berckmoes
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieter Verdyck
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frederik Jan Hes
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Centre for Medical Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Willem Verpoest
- Clinical Sciences, Research Group Genetics, Reproduction and Development, Brussels IVF Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Utrecht University Medical Centre (UMCU), Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Sciorio R, Tramontano L, Campos G, Greco PF, Mondrone G, Surbone A, Greco E, Talevi R, Pluchino N, Fleming S. Vitrification of human blastocysts for couples undergoing assisted reproduction: an updated review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1398049. [PMID: 38827525 PMCID: PMC11140474 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1398049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past 40 years there has been a worldwide critical change in the field of assisted reproduction technology (ART), leading to the increased application of single blastocyst transfer, which is extremely important to avoid the risks of multiple pregnancy and associated complications for both mother and babies. Indeed, advancements in ART over the last few decades have been obtained thanks to several improvements, including ovarian stimulation, embryo culture conditions and, of course, progress in cryopreservation methods, especially with the application of vitrification. The ability to cryopreserve human embryos has improved significantly with vitrification compared to the initially adopted slow-freezing procedures. Since the introduction of vitrification, it has become the gold standard method to effectively cryopreserve human blastocysts. However, some new protocols are now being explored, such as the short warming procedure and even shorter exposure to the equilibration solution before vitrification, which seem to provide optimal results. Therefore, the main aim of the current narrative review, will be to illustrate the benefit of vitrification as an effective method to cryopreserve the human blastocyst and to illustrate new protocols and variations which in future may increase the performance of vitrification protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luca Tramontano
- Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Gerard Campos
- Fertility Geisinger Medical Center, Women’s Health Fertility Clinic, Danville, PA, United States
- GIREXX Fertility Clinics, Girona-Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Anna Surbone
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ermanno Greco
- Villa Mafalda, Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UniCamillus, International Medical University, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Talevi
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Universita’ di Napoli ‘Federico II’, Complesso Universitario di Monte S, Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Pluchino
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman Mother Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Steven Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Loreti S, Darici E, Nekkebroeck J, Drakopoulos P, Van Landuyt L, De Munck N, Tournaye H, De Vos M. A 10-year follow-up of reproductive outcomes in women attempting motherhood after elective oocyte cryopreservation. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:355-363. [PMID: 38145619 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead267] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Which reproductive treatment outcomes are observed in women who underwent elective oocyte cryopreservation (EOC) and who returned to the clinic with a desire for a child? SUMMARY ANSWER Whether to warm oocytes or to first use fresh own oocytes for ART depends on age upon returning, but both strategies result in favorable reproductive outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Most affluent countries have observed a trend toward postponement of childbearing, and EOC is increasingly used based on the assumption that oocytes cryopreserved at a younger age may extend a woman's reproductive lifespan and mitigate her age-related fertility decline. Although most follow-up studies after EOC have focused on women who requested oocyte warming, a substantial proportion of women who do not conceive naturally will embark on fertility treatment without using their cryopreserved oocytes. Reports on reproductive outcomes in past EOC users are scarce, and the lack of reproductive treatment algorithms in this group of women hampers counseling toward the most efficient clinical strategy. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective observational single-center study encompasses 843 women who had elective oocyte vitrification between 2009 and 2019 at our fertility clinic. Women who underwent fertility preservation for medical or oncological reasons were excluded. This study describes the outcomes of the diverse reproductive treatment strategies performed until May 2022 in women returning to our clinic to attempt motherhood. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Using descriptive statistics, patient characteristics and data of ovarian stimulation (OS) of EOC cycles were analyzed, as well as data related to OS and laboratory data of ART in women who pursued fertility treatment with and/or without using their cryopreserved oocytes. The primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR) per patient after oocyte warming and after ART using fresh oocytes. Secondary outcomes were return rate, utilization rate of the cryopreserved oocytes, laboratory outcomes upon return, and LBR per embryo transfer. A multivariable regression model was developed to identify factors associated with the decision to thaw oocytes as the primary strategy and factors associated with ongoing pregnancy upon return to the clinic. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A total of 1353 EOC cycles (mean ± SD, 1.6 ± 0.9 per patient) were performed. At the time of EOC, the mean age was 36.5 ± 2.8 years, mean anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was 2.3 ± 2.0 ng/ml, and 174 (20.6%) women had a partner. On average, 13.9 ± 9.2 mature oocytes were cryopreserved. Two hundred thirty-one (27.4%) women returned to the clinic, an average of 39.9 ± 23.4 months after EOC. Upon returning, their mean age was 40.4 ± 3.1 years, mean AMH was 1.5 ± 1.5 ng/ml, and 158/231 (68.3%) patients had a partner. As a primary approach, 110/231 (47.6%) past EOC users embarked on oocyte warming, 50/231 (21.6%) had intrauterine insemination, and 71/231 (30.7%) had ART using fresh own oocytes. Cumulative LBR (CLBR) was 45.9% (106/231) notwithstanding a miscarriage rate (MR) of 30.7% (51/166) in the entire cohort. In total, 141 women performed oocyte warming at some stage in their treatment trajectory. A subset of 90/231 (39.0%) patients exclusively had oocyte warming (41.6 ± 3.0 years, with 10.0 ± 5.2 oocytes warmed per patient). 52/231 (22.5%) patients exclusively had ART using fresh own oocytes (mean age of 39.0 ± 2.8 years, with 9.9 ± 7.4 mature oocytes retrieved per patient). CLBR was 37/90 (41.1%) in the oocyte warming-only group and 25/52 (48.1%) in the OS-only group. MR/transfer was 25.0% and 29.3% in the oocyte warming-only group and the OS-only group, respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Both sample size and the retrospective design are limitations of this study. The decision to embark on a specific reproductive treatment strategy was based on patient preference, after counseling on their treatment options. This precludes direct comparison of the efficiency of reproductive treatment options in past EOC users in this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Reporting on clinical outcomes of women who underwent EOC and returned to the clinic to embark on divergent reproductive treatment strategies is mandatory to establish guidelines for best clinical practice in this growing patient population. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Loreti
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Darici
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Nekkebroeck
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - P Drakopoulos
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- IVF Greece, Athens, Greece
| | - L Van Landuyt
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N De Munck
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Tournaye
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M De Vos
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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5
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Mengels A, Van Muylder A, Peeraer K, Luyten J, Laenen A, Spiessens C, Debrock S. Cumulative pregnancy rates of two strategies: Day 3 fresh embryo transfer followed by Day 3 or Day 5/6 vitrification and embryo transfer: a randomized controlled trial. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:62-73. [PMID: 37886820 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are cumulative pregnancy rates better if supernumerary embryos are vitrified on Day 5/6 instead of Day 3? SUMMARY ANSWER The results do not show a significant difference in cumulative pregnancy rates between the Day 3 and Day 5/6 vitrification groups. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Pregnancy and live birth rates following IVF or ICSI treatment are higher after extended embryo culture and blastocyst transfer (Day 5/6) compared to cleavage-stage (Day 3) transfer. Cumulative pregnancy rates from one oocyte retrieval (OR) cycle show no significant difference after fresh and frozen embryo transfers, but only one study has used vitrification for the cryopreservation of supernumerary embryos while four studies have used a slow freezing protocol. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Our prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in an academic centre between January 2018 and August 2020. Patients were randomized into vitrification Day 3 (n = 80) or Day 5/6 (n = 81) groups. The primary outcome was the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate (cOPR), considering only the first pregnancy for each couple. The power calculation revealed that 75 patients were required in each group, when assuming a 50% cOPR with four embryo transfers in the vitrification Day 3 group vs two transfers in the vitrification Day 5/6 group. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Patients <38 years undergoing their first or second OR cycles were randomized at the start of the first cycle. Up to two cycles were included in the analysis. A fresh embryo transfer was performed on Day 3. Supernumerary embryos (with ≥6 cells, <25% fragmentation, and equal blastomeres) or blastocysts (with expansion grade ≥2 with inner cell mass and trophectoderm score A/B) were vitrified on Day 3 or Day 5/6, respectively, and then transferred at a later date. A time-to-event analysis was performed with the patient's first ongoing pregnancy as the event of interest and the number of embryo transfers as the time component. The statistical comparison was performed by a Cox proportional hazards model. Cumulative costs of vitrification on Day 3 vs Day 5/6 were explored and compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By December 2021, 233 transfers (96 fresh and 137 frozen) in 77 patients were performed in the vitrification Day 3 group and 201 transfers (88 fresh and 113 frozen) in 77 patients were performed in the vitrification Day 5/6 group. The time-to-event analysis did not show a difference between the two arms with regard to the patient's first ongoing pregnancy as the primary study outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.25, 95% CI 0.82; 1.92, P = 0.30). The cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate after eight transfers (from one or two ORs) was 57% in the vitrification Day 3 group vs 58% in the vitrification Day 5/6 group. The median number of embryo transfers until a pregnancy was achieved was five vs four, respectively, in the vitrification Day 3 group vs the Day 5/6 group. Similar results were found for the secondary study outcome, i.e. clinical pregnancy with foetal heart rate (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.78; 1.80, P = 0.41). The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate (cCPR) after eight embryo transfers was 62% in the vitrification Day 3 group vs 59% in the vitrification Day 5/6 group. The median number of transfers until a pregnancy was achieved was four in both groups. The healthcare consumption pattern differed between the two groups and we observed higher costs for the vitrification Day 3 group compared to the vitrification Day 5/6 group, although these differences were not statistically significant. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although our power calculation revealed that only 75 patients were needed in each study group (β = 0.87, α < 0.05), the numbers were low. Also, different numbers of single and double embryo transfers were performed between the two groups, which may have affected the results. The cost analysis was performed on a subset of the patients and is therefore exploratory. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study shows no difference in the cumulative pregnancy rate nor costs after fresh and frozen embryo transfers of at most two sequential OR cycles between the Day 3 and Day 5/6 vitrification groups; however, obstetric and perinatal outcomes should be taken into account to determine the best strategy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded as an investigator-sponsored study of S.D. by Merck nv/sa Belgium, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and by Gedeon Richter Benelux (PA18-0162). The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04196036. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 15 January 2018. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT 15 January 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mengels
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Van Muylder
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - K Peeraer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Luyten
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Laenen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics Centre, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - C Spiessens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Debrock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven University Fertility Centre, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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6
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Chen Q, Zhou D, Wang C, Ye M, Jia Y, Liu B, Bukulmez O, Norman RJ, Hu H, Yeung SB, Teng X, Liu W, Chen M. The adverse effects of vitrification on mouse embryo development and metabolic phenotype in offspring. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23372. [PMID: 38102977 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301774rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Embryo vitrification is a standard procedure in assisted reproductive technology. Previous studies have shown that frozen embryo transfer is associated with an elevated risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effects of mouse blastocyst vitrification on the phenotype of vitrified-warmed blastocysts, their intrauterine and postnatal development, and the long-term metabolic health of the derived offspring. The vitrified-warmed blastocysts (IVF + VT group) exhibited reduced mitochondrial activity, increased apoptotic levels, and decreased cell numbers when compared to the fresh blastocysts (IVF group). Implantation rates, live pup rates, and crown-rump length at E18.5 were not different between the two groups. However, there was a significant decrease in fetal weight and fetal/placental weight ratio in the IVF + VT group. Furthermore, the offspring of the IVF + VT group at an age of 36 weeks had reduced whole energy consumption, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism when compared with the IVF group. Notably, RNA-seq results unveiled disturbed hepatic gene expression in the offspring from vitrified-warmed blastocysts. This study revealed the short-term negative impacts of vitrification on embryo and fetal development and the long-term influence on glucose and lipid metabolism that persist from the prenatal stage into adulthood in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyu Chen
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dan Zhou
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changxin Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mingming Ye
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanping Jia
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Binya Liu
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Orhan Bukulmez
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Robert J Norman
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hanxin Hu
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoming Teng
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miaoxin Chen
- Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Önalan G, Tunç M, Tohma A, Günakan E, Eryılmaz T, Zeyneloğlu HB. Extending the culture of cleavage-stage embryos to the blastocyst stage after warming increases the chance of live birth: does it have a regenerative effect? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:1969-1974. [PMID: 37022346 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07031-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the effect of extending the culture of cleavage-stage embryos to the blastocyst stage in vitrified-warmed cycles on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS This is a retrospectively designed pilot study of a single center. All patients who applied for freeze-all cycle procedures during in vitro fertilization treatment were included in the study. Patients were classified into three subgroups. The embryos obtained were frozen at the cleavage or blastocyst stage. After a warming process, the cleavage-stage embryos were divided into two subgroups: the first group of embryos was transferred (vitrification day 3-embryo transfer (ET) day 3 (D3T3)) on the warming day; for the second group, the embryo culture was extended to the blastocyst stage (vitrification day 3-ET day 5 (after the extension of the embryo culture to the blastocyst stage), (D3T5)). Frozen blastocyst-stage embryos were transferred after warming (vitrification day 5-ET day 5 (D5T5)). Hormone replacement treatment was the only endometrial preparation regimen given during the embryo transfer cycle. The main outcome of the study was live birth rates. The clinical pregnancy rate and positive pregnancy test rate were determined as the secondary outcomes of the study. RESULTS The study included a total of 194 patients. The positive pregnancy test rates (PPR) and clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) of the D3T3, D3T5, and D5T5 groups were 14.0% and 59.2%; 43.8% and 9.3%; and 56.3% and 39.6%, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). The live birth rates (LBR) of patients in the D3T3, D3T5, and D5T5 groups were 7.0%, 44.7%, and 27.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis of patients with a poor number of 2PN embryos (defined as having < = 4 2PN embryos), the D3T5 group had significantly higher PPR (10.7%, 60.6%, 42.4%; p < 0.001), CPR (7.1%, 57.6%, 39.4%; p < 0.001), and LBR (3.6%, 39.4%, 21.2%; p: 0.001). CONCLUSION Extending the culture after warming to the blastocyst stage may be a better alternative than a cleavage-stage embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göğşen Önalan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Tunç
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Aytaç Tohma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emre Günakan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tahir Eryılmaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hulusi B Zeyneloğlu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Başkent University School of Medicine, Şehit Temel Kuğuoğlu Cd. No: 34 Bahçelievler, Ankara, Turkey
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8
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Post-Thaw Day 5 Blastocyst Culture Time Prior to Transfer Does Not Affect Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) Outcomes in Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer Cycles. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11247444. [PMID: 36556058 PMCID: PMC9781174 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11247444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The frozen embryo transfer (FET) technique has been progressively used more worldwide due to improved culture conditions, as well as enhanced survival rates after vitrification. However, little is known about the effect of the post-thaw blastocyst culture duration prior to transfer on live birth rate in FET cycles. In this retrospective observational study, we evaluated the influence of two distinct post-thaw blastocyst culture spans (2-4 h versus 20-22 h) on clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. A total of n = 1927 frozen-warmed cycles were included in the analysis. Among those, n = 885 warmed blastocysts were cultured for 2-4 h, and n = 1029 were kept in culture for 20-22 h prior to transfer; the remaining blastocysts did not survive the warming protocol. We observed no significant differences in live birth and clinical pregnancy rates between the two groups. The blastocyst morphological evaluation at transfer improved following the longer culture time. No differences between the two groups were found also for gestational and neonatal outcomes. This work shows that different post-thaw embryo culture timings do not negatively impact pregnancy outcomes. Overall, these results are important in the context of the embryological laboratory in order to better organize the workflow and avoid unnecessary timing-related workload.
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9
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Kovačič B, Taborin M, Vlaisavljević V, Reljič M, Knez J. To collapse or not to collapse blastocysts before vitrification? A matched case-control study on single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfers. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:669-678. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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10
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Strypstein L, Van Moer E, Nekkebroeck J, Segers I, Tournaye H, Demeestere I, Dolmans MM, Verpoest W, De Vos M. First live birth after fertility preservation using vitrification of oocytes in a woman with mosaic Turner syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:543-549. [PMID: 35122176 PMCID: PMC8956750 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02420-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the case of a young woman diagnosed with Turner syndrome (TS) who achieved a live birth using her own oocytes that had been vitrified for fertility preservation. METHODS A 25-year-old woman with mosaic (45,X/46,XX) TS was referred for fertility preservation (FP) counseling. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level was normal (6.4 µg/L). In view of the unpredictable rate of follicle loss in TS individuals, she requested FP and underwent two cycles of ovarian stimulation (OS) for oocyte cryopreservation (OoC) using a GnRH antagonist protocol and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), 200-250 IU daily for 8 resp. 12 days. RESULTS In total, 29 metaphase II oocytes (MII) were vitrified after OS. After conceiving spontaneously and achieving a live birth, she returned to the clinic five years after OoC with a desire for pregnancy using in vitro fertilization (IVF) of her cryopreserved oocytes and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A). All 29 MII oocytes were thawed; 23 oocytes survived (79.3%) and were inseminated with partner sperm using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Thirteen oocytes were fertilized resulting in three good quality blastocysts which were vitrified after trophectoderm biopsy for PGT-A using array-CGH. Two blastocysts were found to be euploid. One was thawed and transferred to the uterus using a HRT priming protocol. An uneventful pregnancy occurred. The patient delivered a healthy baby girl weighing 3490 g at 40 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS We report the first live birth achieved using cryopreserved oocytes in a woman diagnosed with mosaic TS. Cryopreservation of oocytes after ovarian stimulation is a realistic option for FP in selected post menarche individuals with mosaic TS. Whether PGT-A may reduce the risk of pregnancy loss in TS has to be confirmed by further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Strypstein
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Van Moer
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Nekkebroeck
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Segers
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Tournaye
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - I Demeestere
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Fertility Clinic, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Laboratory On Human Reproduction, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M-M Dolmans
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Experimentale Et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - W Verpoest
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
- Reproductive Genetics Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M De Vos
- Brussels IVF, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.
- Follicular Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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11
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Roelens C, Racca A, Mackens S, Van Landuyt L, Gucciardo L, Tournaye H, De Vos M, Blockeel C. Artificially prepared frozen embryo transfer cycles are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:915-922. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Chatzimeletiou K, Sioga A, Petrogiannis N, Panagiotidis Y, Prapa M, Patrikiou A, Tarlatzis BC, Grimbizis G. Viability assessment using fluorescent markers and ultrastructure of human biopsied embryos vitrified in open and closed systems. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:833-842. [PMID: 34593325 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Are there any differences in viability and ultrastructure amongst embryos biopsied on Day 5 versus Day 3 following vitrification in open and closed systems and compared to fresh embryos? DESIGN One hundred human embryos (40 blastocysts biopsied on Day 5 and subsequently vitrified in open or closed systems and 60 Day 3 biopsied embryos that developed to blastocysts but were rejected for transfer following preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects and for aneuploidies were either treated fresh [n = 20] or vitrified [n = 40] in open or closed systems) and following warming and culture for 4 h were subjected to viability staining with carboxyfluorescein-diacetate succinimidylester/propidium iodide or processed for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed in the viability of human biopsied embryos following vitrification in open and closed systems. Compared to fresh embryos, vitrified ones had a higher incidence of damage (propidium iodide-stained cells) irrespective of the vitrification method (P = 0.005). These damaged cells were more prominent in Day 5 biopsied blastocysts and mainly located at the position of cutting. Characteristic lipofuscin droplets (representative of apoptosis) and a higher number of vacuoles and distension of mitochondria were also more evident in vitrified embryos, although this was not statistically assessed. CONCLUSIONS Vitrification in open and closed systems does not adversely affect the viability and ultrastructure of Day 5 and Day 3 biopsied embryos as revealed by the minimal yet statistically significant cell damage observed. This damage may be compensated by the embryos, which in their attempt to fully recover following vitrification, potentially enable 'rescue' processes to eliminate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 56403, Greece.
| | - Antonia Sioga
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | | | | | - Marialena Prapa
- Iakentro Advanced Medical Centre, Thessaloniki 54250, Greece
| | - Antonios Patrikiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 56403, Greece
| | - Basil C Tarlatzis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 56403, Greece
| | - Grigoris Grimbizis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University Medical School, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki 56403, Greece
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13
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Rahav-Koren R, Inbar S, Miller N, Wiser A, Yagur Y, Berkowitz C, Farladansky-Gershnabel S, Shulman A, Berkowitz A. Thawing day 3 embryos and culturing to day 5 may be a better method for frozen embryo transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2941-2946. [PMID: 34549329 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02321-y] [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: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Does thawing cleavage embryos and culturing them for transfer as blastocysts improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes compared to transferring thawed blastocysts? METHODS Retrospective, observational cohort study performed at two assisted reproductive technology centers, 2014 to 2020. A total of 450 patients with 463 thawed embryo transfer cycles were divided into 2 groups according to the embryonic developmental stage at cryopreservation and transfer: 231 thawed blastocysts (day 5 group) and 232 thawed cleavage embryos that were cultured for 2 days and transferred as blastocysts (day 3-5 group). The two groups were compared for demographics, routine parameters of IVF treatment, pregnancy rates, and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS Multivariable logistic regression analysis for ongoing pregnancy and delivery demonstrated that the day 3-5 group had a greater likelihood of achieving ongoing pregnancy and delivery compared to the day 5 group (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.062-2.361, p = 0.024). Perinatal outcomes were comparable between the three groups. CONCLUSION Our results support culturing post-thaw cleavage embryos for 2 days and transferring them as blastocysts to increase chances of ongoing pregnancy and delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni Rahav-Koren
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel. .,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Shmuel Inbar
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Netanella Miller
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Wiser
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Yagur
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chen Berkowitz
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sivan Farladansky-Gershnabel
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adrian Shulman
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Arie Berkowitz
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernichovsky St, 4428164, Kfar Saba, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Assuta Medical Center, 75654, Rishon Letzion, Israel
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14
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Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2304. [PMID: 34438761 PMCID: PMC8388489 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there are large differences between horses and humans for reproductive anatomy, follicular dynamics, mono-ovulation, and embryo development kinetics until the blastocyst stage are similar. In contrast to humans, however, horses are seasonal animals and do not have a menstrual cycle. Moreover, horse implantation takes place 30 days later than in humans. In terms of artificial reproduction techniques (ART), oocytes are generally matured in vitro in horses because ovarian stimulation remains inefficient. This allows the collection of oocytes without hormonal treatments. In humans, in vivo matured oocytes are collected after ovarian stimulation. Subsequently, only intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is performed in horses to produce embryos, whereas both in vitro fertilization and ICSI are applied in humans. Embryos are transferred only as blastocysts in horses. In contrast, four cells to blastocyst stage embryos are transferred in humans. Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation has been mastered in humans, but not completely in horses. Finally, both species share infertility concerns due to ageing and obesity. Thus, reciprocal knowledge could be gained through the comparative study of ART and infertility treatments both in woman and mare, even though the horse could not be used as a single model for human ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achraf Benammar
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Emilie Derisoud
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - François Vialard
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Eric Palmer
- Académie d’Agriculture de France, 75007 Paris, France;
| | - Jean Marc Ayoubi
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Marine Poulain
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Foch Hospital, 92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (A.B.); (E.D.); (F.V.); (J.M.A.); (M.P.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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15
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Van Der Kelen A, Santos-Ribeiro S, De Vos A, Verdyck P, De Rycke M, Berckmoes V, Tournaye H, Blockeel C, De Vos M, Hes FJ, Keymolen K, Verpoest W. Parameters of poor prognosis in preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2558-2566. [PMID: 34142115 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the likelihood of success of a single cycle of preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M), measured as the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) and based on various patient demographics? SUMMARY ANSWER For all women aged ≤40 years, the CLBR was at least 10% when the number of oocytes was ≥7 (range 10-30%) or was at least 5% when the number of oocytes was ≥3 (range 5-17%). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The number of oocytes is significantly associated with the number of embryos for genetic testing and the clinical outcome in PGT-M. Embryos diagnosed as affected or embryos that remain without diagnosis cannot be used for embryo transfer. The size of the group of embryos non-suitable for transfer varies between 25% and 81%, depending on the indication. Thus, PGT-M is more likely to be more severely impacted by suboptimal ovarian response, poor fertilization and suboptimal embryo development than conventional IVF/ICSI schemes without PGT. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a single-centre retrospective comparative cohort study, of cycles between January 2011 and December 2015. A total number of 2265 PGT-M cycles were compared to 2833 conventional ICSI cycles. The principal aim of our study was the identification of the parameters of poor CLBR in couples undergoing PGT-M using multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) markers on blastomere biopsy DNA. The secondary aim was to compare the parameters of poor CLBR of the PGT-M population to those of couples undergoing ICSI without PGT. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The baseline characteristics of the PGT-M group were compared to the conventional ICSI group. A multiple regression analysis was applied to account for the following potential confounding factors: female age, number of previous ART cycles, number of oocytes/suitable embryos for transfer and dosage of gonadotrophins used for ovarian stimulation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The PGT-M group was younger (female age 32.0 vs 34.5 years), had a higher number of previous ART cycles (1.1 vs 0.9 cycles) and used more gonadotrophins (2367 vs 1984 IU). Per cycle, the PGT-M group had more retrieved oocytes (11.8 vs 8.3 oocytes), fewer suitable embryos for transfer (1.7 vs 2.8 embryos) and a lower CLBR (29.4% vs 35.0%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the CLBR in the PGT-M group was significantly influenced by female age, the number of previous ART cycles, the number of oocytes and the dose of ovarian stimulation. In both groups, the predicted CLBR increased with increasing numbers of oocytes and suitable embryos. At least two retrieved oocytes or one embryo per single PGT-M cycle could confer an estimated CLBR above 10%. By assessing female age and the number of retrieved oocytes together, it was shown that for all women aged ≤40 years, the predicted CLBR per single PGT-M cycle was ≥10% when the number of oocytes was ≥7 or was ≥5% when the number of oocytes was ≥3. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Despite the large sample size, the findings are confined by limited confounder adjustment and the lack of specific PGT-M comparators. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study aimed to describe the likelihood of success of PGT-M treatment, measured as CLBR, based on various patient demographics. In a PGT-M program, couples need to be informed of the prognosis more specifically when it is futile. The table of predicted CLBRs presented in this study is a useful tool in counselling PGT-M couples for making reproductive choices. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No funding was required and there are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Van Der Kelen
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Santos-Ribeiro
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVIRMA Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A De Vos
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - P Verdyck
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M De Rycke
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V Berckmoes
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Tournaye
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproduction, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - C Blockeel
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M De Vos
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproduction, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - F J Hes
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Keymolen
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
| | - W Verpoest
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Centre for Medical Genetics, Brussels, Belgium
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De Vos A, Van Landuyt L, De Rycke M, Verdyck P, Verheyen G, Buysse A, Belva F, Keymolen K, Tournaye H, Verpoest W. Multiple vitrification-warming and biopsy procedures on human embryos: clinical outcome and neonatal follow-up of children. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:2488-2496. [PMID: 33047114 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does double vitrification and warming of human blastocysts having undergone biopsy once or twice have an impact on the clinical outcome? SUMMARY ANSWER The clinical pregnancy rate obtained with double vitrification single biopsy blastocysts was comparable to that obtained with single vitrification single biopsy blastocysts in our center in the same time period (46%; 2016-2018), whereas that obtained with double-vitrified double-biopsied blastocysts seemed lower and will need further study. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Genetic testing on cryopreserved unbiopsied embryos involves two cryopreservation procedures. Retesting of failed/inconclusive-diagnosed blastocysts inevitably involves a second round of biopsy and a second round of vitrification as well. To what extent this practice impacts on the developmental potential of blastocysts has been studied to a limited extent so far and holds controversy. Additionally, the obstetrical/perinatal outcome after the transfer of double-vitrified/single or double-biopsied blastocysts is poorly documented. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective observational study included 97 cycles of trophectoderm biopsy and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) on vitrified-warmed embryos followed by a second round of vitrification between March 2015 and December 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In 36 warming cycles, no biopsy was performed on the embryos before the first vitrification (single biopsy group). In 61 warming cycles, the embryos had been biopsied on Day 3 (n = 4) or on Day 5/6 (n = 57) before the first vitrification (double biopsy group). A second biopsy was mostly indicated in cycles of failed or inconclusive diagnosis at the first biopsy. Two cycles involved a more specific mutation test for X-linked diseases on male embryos and one cycle involved testing for a second monogenic indication supplementary to a previously tested reciprocal translocation. Post-warming suitability for biopsy, availability of genetically transferable embryos and clinical outcome of subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles were reported. Neonatal follow-up of the children was included. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 91 cleavage-stage embryos and 154 blastocysts were warmed, of which 34 (37.4%) and 126 (81.8%), respectively, were of sufficient quality to undergo trophectoderm biopsy and were subsequently vitrified for a second time. Out of these, 92 underwent biopsy for the first time (single biopsy), whereas 68 underwent a second biopsy (double biopsy). After diagnosis, 77 blastocysts (48.1%) were revealed to be genetically transferable (44 in the single biopsy group and 33 in the double biopsy group). In 46 warming cycles, 51 blastocysts were warmed and 49 survived this second warming procedure (96.0%). Subsequently, there were 45 FET cycles resulting in 27 biochemical pregnancies and 18 clinical pregnancies with fetal heartbeat (40.0% per FET cycle: 44.0% in the single biopsy group and 35.0% in the double biopsy group, P = 0.54). Thirteen singletons were born (eight in the single biopsy group and five in the double biopsy group), while three pregnancies were ongoing. A total of 26 embryos (13 in each group) remain vitrified and have the potential to increase the final clinical pregnancy rate. The neonatal follow-up of the children born so far is reassuring. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a small retrospective cohort, thus, the implantation potential of double vitrification double biopsy blastocysts, as compared to double vitrification single biopsy blastocysts and standard PGT (single vitrification, single biopsy), certainly needs further investigation. Although one could speculate on birthweight being affected by the number of biopsies performed, the numbers in this study are too small to compare birthweight standard deviation scores in singletons born after single or double biopsy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS PGT on vitrified-warmed embryos, including a second vitrification-warming step, results in healthy live birth deliveries, for both single- and double-biopsied embryos. The neonatal follow-up of the 13 children born so far did not indicate any adverse effect. The present study is important in order to provide proper counseling to couples on their chance of a live birth per initial warming cycle planned and concerning the safety issue of rebiopsy and double vitrification. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anick De Vos
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Lisbet Van Landuyt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Martine De Rycke
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Pieter Verdyck
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Greta Verheyen
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Andrea Buysse
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Florence Belva
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Kathelijn Keymolen
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Herman Tournaye
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproduction, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Willem Verpoest
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
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17
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Segers I, Bardhi E, Mateizel I, Van Moer E, Schots R, Verheyen G, Tournaye H, De Vos M. Live births following fertility preservation using in-vitro maturation of ovarian tissue oocytes. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:2026-2036. [PMID: 32829388 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can oocytes extracted from excised ovarian tissue and matured in vitro be a useful adjunct for urgent fertility preservation (FP)? SUMMARY ANSWER Ovarian tissue oocyte in-vitro maturation (OTO-IVM) in combination with ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is a valuable adjunct technique for FP. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Despite the impressive progress in the field, options for FP for cancer patients are still limited and, depending on the technique, clinical outcome data are still scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a university hospital-affiliated fertility clinic between January 2012 and May 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study included 77 patients who underwent unilateral oophorectomy for OTC. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained during ovarian tissue processing were matured in vitro for 28-42 h. Oocytes reaching metaphase II stage were vitrified or inseminated for embryo vitrification. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Overall, 1220 COCs were collected. The mean oocyte maturation rate was 39% ± 23% (SD). There were 64 patients who had vitrification of oocytes (6.7 ± 6.3 oocytes per patient). There were 13 patients who had ICSI of mature oocytes after IVM, with 2.0 ± 2.0 embryos vitrified per patient. Twelve patients have returned to the clinic with a desire for pregnancy. For seven of these, OTO-IVM material was thawed. Two patients had OTO-IVM oocytes warmed, with survival rates of 86% and 60%. After ICSI, six oocytes were fertilised in total, generating three good quality embryos for transfer, leading to a healthy live birth for one patient. In five patients, for whom a mean of 2.0 ± 0.8 (SD) embryos had been vitrified, seven embryos were warmed in total: one embryo did not survive the warming process; two tested genetically unsuitable for transfer; and four were transferred in separate cycles to three different patients, resulting in two healthy babies. In this small series, the live birth rate per patient after OTO-IVM, ICSI and embryo transfer was 43%. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The retrospective study design and the limited sample size should be considered when interpreting results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results of the study illustrate the added value of OTO-IVM in combination with OTC. We report the first live birth following the use of this appended technique combined with oocyte vitrification. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was used for this study. M.D.V. reports honoraria for lectures in the last 2 years from MSD and Ferring, outside the submitted work, as well as grant support from MSD. The other authors have nothing to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Segers
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Erlisa Bardhi
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Ileana Mateizel
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ellen Van Moer
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rik Schots
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Greta Verheyen
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Herman Tournaye
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel De Vos
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRG), University Hospital Brussel - Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.,Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels 1090, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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18
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Kamel Mohamed M, El-Noury MAH, Amer MK, Fakhry E, Alalfy M. Comparative study between two techniques for artificial shrinkage of blastocysts prior to vitrification: LASER pulse versus micro-needle technique in increasing chemical, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates after ICSI, a randomized controlled trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:4910-4917. [PMID: 33645399 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1873265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This work investigates ICSI outcome between LASER Artificial Shrinkage (LAS) and Micro-Needle Artificial Shrinkage (MNAS) before vitrification. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred and nine women were included in the study; which were randomly divided into two groups according to the technique used for artificial shrinkage step of the blastocyst before vitrification: in the first group, Laser beam was used while in the second group the micro-needle was used. Ovarian stimulation was done before the ICSI procedure either by long, short or antagonist protocol. RESULTS The statistical analysis of our study revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding age, number of cases, AMH, Basal FSH, BMI, male factor, usage ovarian stimulation protocol, high quality blastocysts, the mean number of transferred embryos. While, there was a statistically significant difference between two groups after thawing with p-value < .001 in favor of the LAS method regarding the morphology of originally high quality blastocysts, blastocysts healthiness (not degenerated), pregnancy rate, the implantation rates. CONCLUSION LASER artificial shrinkage of human blastocysts is a promising technology that could be implemented on a wider basis to improve ART practice, as our study revealed that the usage of LASER pulse for artificial shrinkage of blastocysts before vitrification has better implantation rate as well as better chemical and clinical pregnancy rate in comparison to the usage of micro-needle artificial shrinkage of blastocysts before vitrification. There is a statistically significant difference regarding live birth rate being more in the LASER group as compared to needle group, also the number of twins ether identical or non-identical are larger in laser group than in needle group but with no statistically significant difference. Clinical trials.gov ID: NCT04125017.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Medhat Kamel Amer
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adam International Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.,Andrology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Emad Fakhry
- Andrology, Adam International Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Alalfy
- Reproductive Health and Family Planning Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt; Adam International Hospital, Aljazeerah Hospital, Giza, Egypt
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Coello A, Nohales M, Meseguer M, de Los Santos MJ, Remohí J, Cobo A. Prediction of embryo survival and live birth rates after cryotransfers of vitrified blastocysts. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 42:881-891. [PMID: 33785304 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Which pre-vitrification parameters are the most predictive of survival and live birth in vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles? DESIGN A retrospective study including 11,936 warmed blastocysts. Pre-vitrification morphological parameters analysed for blastocysts included day of vitrification; blastocyst expansion degree; trophoectoderm grade (A, B and C); and inner cell mass grade (A, B and C). Univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations models were used to analyse survival, clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to select and classify by order which outcomes were the most predictive. RESULTS The odds of survival increased almost twice for blastocysts with lower expansion degree (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.69; P < 0.001) and by about 50% for blastocysts vitrified on day 5 (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.89; P < 0.001). Multivariate generalized estimating equations model showed that trophectoderm grade followed by the day of vitrification were the most significant predictors of live birth. The odds of live birth increased nearly three times for blastocysts with trophectoderm graded as A compared with those with trophectoderm graded as C (OR 2.85; 95% CI 2.48 to 3.27; P < 0.001), and double for blastocysts vitrified on day 5 compared with those vitrified on day 6 (OR 2.22; 95% CI 1.97 to 2.49; P < 0.001). The odds of live birth also increased in higher expansion degree blastocysts. CONCLUSIONS Blastocysts vitrified on day 5 and those with higher trophoectoderm grade should be given priority when warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aila Coello
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Mar Nohales
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marcos Meseguer
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain
| | - M José de Los Santos
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Remohí
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Cobo
- Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (IVI), University of Valencia, Pl. Policía Local 3, Valencia, Spain
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20
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De Rycke M, Berckmoes V. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E871. [PMID: 32752000 PMCID: PMC7463885 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has evolved into a well-established alternative to invasive prenatal diagnosis, even though genetic testing of single or few cells is quite challenging. PGT-M is in theory available for any monogenic disorder for which the disease-causing locus has been unequivocally identified. In practice, the list of indications for which PGT is allowed may vary substantially from country to country, depending on PGT regulation. Technically, the switch from multiplex PCR to robust generic workflows with whole genome amplification followed by SNP array or NGS represents a major improvement of the last decade: the waiting time for the couples has been substantially reduced since the customized preclinical workup can be omitted and the workload for the laboratories has decreased. Another evolution is that the generic methods now allow for concurrent analysis of PGT-M and PGT-A. As innovative algorithms are being developed and the cost of sequencing continues to decline, the field of PGT moves forward to a sequencing-based, all-in-one solution for PGT-M, PGT-SR, and PGT-A. This will generate a vast amount of complex genetic data entailing new challenges for genetic counseling. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art for PGT-M and reflect on its future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine De Rycke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
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21
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Nagy ZP, Shapiro D, Chang CC. Vitrification of the human embryo: a more efficient and safer in vitro fertilization treatment. Fertil Steril 2020; 113:241-247. [PMID: 32106970 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryopreservation has become a central pillar in assisted reproduction, reflected in the exponential increase of "freeze all" cycles in the past few years. Vitrification makes it possible to cool and warm human eggs and embryos with far less cryo-damage than 'slow-freeze' and allows nearly intact survival of embryos with very high survival rates for eggs as well. This has resulted in a complete transformation how we manage treatment for in vitro fertilization patients. Fresh transfers can be avoided without compromising outcomes, and in fact, cumulative pregnancy/delivery rates may be improved by performing sequential elective "frozen" single embryo transfers. Some recent evidence suggests that previously vitrified embryos give better perinatal outcomes than fresh embryo transfers. Frozen embryo transfer, especially when coupled with preimplantation genetic testing allows for highly efficient single embryo transfers that translate to more singleton and therefore safer pregnancies, as well as healthier babies. Additionally, vitrification has also opened new options for patients, most notably fertility preservation (through oocyte cryopreservation), and donor egg banking.
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Cimadomo D, Soscia D, Vaiarelli A, Maggiulli R, Capalbo A, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L. Looking past the appearance: a comprehensive description of the clinical contribution of poor-quality blastocysts to increase live birth rates during cycles with aneuploidy testing. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:1206-1214. [PMID: 31247100 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Which are the clinical benefits and risks of including poor-quality blastocysts (PQBs) in the cohort of biopsied embryos during a cycle with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A)? SUMMARY ANSWER PQBs show a worse prognosis with respect to sibling non-PQBs, but their clinical use allows an overall 2.6% increase in the number of live births (LBs) achievable after PGT-A. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY PQBs (<BB according to Gardner and Schoolcraft's classification) are generally disregarded for clinical use and/or research purposes. Therefore, limited data exist in literature to estimate the benefits and risks deriving from the transfer of a PQB. In Italy, the law imposes the transfer or cryopreservation of all embryos, unless proven not viable. This regulation has allowed the production of a large amount of data regarding poor-quality embryos. Previous reports outlined a lower chance of euploidy and implantation for PQBs. Yet, a comprehensive picture of their real clinical contribution is missing. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This observational cohort study including 2757 oocyte retrievals for PGT-A (mean maternal age, 39.6 ± 3.3 years) conducted at a private IVF centre between April 2013 and May 2018. A total of 1497 PQBs were obtained and their embryological, chromosomal and clinical features were compared to 5250 non-PQBs (≥BB according to Gardner and Schoolcraft's classification) and adjusted for all significant confounders. After defining the overall increase in LBs due to PQBs, we outlined the population of patients who might benefit the most from their clinical use. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS ICSI cycles, involving ovarian stimulation, blastocyst culture, trophectoderm biopsy, vitrification, comprehensive chromosome testing and vitrified-warmed euploid single embryo transfers (SETs), were conducted. Overall analyses and sub-analyses in populations of patients clustered according to maternal age at retrieval and size of the cohort of sibling non-PQBs were performed. Finally, the risk of miscarriage and the chance of LB per biopsied PQB and non-PQB were estimated. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE PQBs allowed a 12.4% increase in the cycles where ≥1 blastocyst was biopsied. To date, we report a concurrent 2.6% increase in the cycles resulting in ≥1 LB. On average 0.7 ± 0.9 (range, 0-9) PQBs were obtained per cycle for biopsy, including 0.2 ± 0.4 (range, 0-5) euploid PQBs. Maternal age solely correlates with the prevalence of PQBs from both overall and cycle-based analyses. Indeed, the patients who benefit the most from these embryos (i.e. 18 women achieving their only LBs thanks to PQBs) cluster among women older than 42 years and/or those with no or few sibling non-PQBs (1.1 ± 1.1; range, 0-3). The 1497 PQBs compared to the 5250 non-PQBs showed slower development (Day 5, 10.1% versus 43.9%; Day 6, 60.5% versus 50.8%; Day 7, 29.4% versus 5.2%) and lower euploidy rates (23.5% versus 51%; adjusted OR, 0.36). Among the 195 and 1697 transferred euploid PQBs and non-PQBs, the former involved a lower implantation rate (16.9% versus 52.3%) and a higher miscarriage rate per clinical pregnancy (36.4% versus 13.9%), therefore resulting in a lower LB rate (LBR, 10.8% versus 44.6%; adjusted OR, 0.22). Based on these rates, we estimated an overall 1.5% risk of miscarriage and 2.6% chance of LB after euploid vitrified-warmed SET per each biopsied PQB. The same estimates for non-PQBs were 3.7% and 22.8%. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The clinical benefit of PQBs is underestimated since they are the last option for transfer and this analysis entailed only the first LB. The higher miscarriage rate per clinical pregnancy here reported might be the consequence of a population of patients of poorer prognosis undergoing the SET of euploid PQBs, an option that requires further investigation. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis is needed in a prospective non-selection fashion. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS PQBs show higher aneuploidy rates. If to be included, PGT-A is recommended. When selected against aneuploid-PQBs, euploid ones could still involve a worse prognosis, yet, their LBR is not negligible. Women should be informed that a poor morphology does not define a non-viable embryo per se, although PQBs show a reduced chance of resulting in an LB. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was used for this study. The authors have no conflict of interest related to this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Daria Soscia
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Vaiarelli
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Maggiulli
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix Italia, Marostica, via Fermi 1, Marostica, Italy.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, Histological, Legal, Medical and Locomotor, Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, via Scarpa 16, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Ubaldi
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centers for Reproductive Medicine Clinica Valle Giulia, via G. De Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
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Alteri A, Guarneri C, Corti L, Restelli L, Reschini M, Giardina P, Papaleo E, Somigliana E, Viganò P, Paffoni A. ALADDIN study: does assisted hatching of vitrified/warmed blastocysts improve live birth rate? Protocol for a multicentric randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e031544. [PMID: 32690492 PMCID: PMC7371140 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent data suggest a higher clinical pregnancy rate performing assisted hatching (AH) on previously cryopreserved embryos but fail to demonstrate significant effects on live birth rate. However, current evidence is based on studies with a small sample size and may hide a type II error. Moreover, poor attention has been given to the specific effect of AH on frozen/thawed blastocysts. To shed light on this topic, we developed the present protocol for a randomised trial to investigate the benefits of the laser-mediated partial removal of the zona pellucida in vitrified/warmed blastocysts. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The pArtiaL zonA pelluciDa removal by assisteD hatchINg of blastocysts (ALADDIN) study is a multicentric prospective comparative study with a parallel randomised controlled design aiming to investigate whether AH performed on warmed blastocysts before embryo transfer can improve live birth rate. Women allocated to the control group will undergo embryo transfer of blastocysts not previously subjected to AH. Two infertility units will be involved in the study. Enrolment of patients will last 18 months with quarterly monitoring and the entire study is foreseen to be closed in 36 months. Secondary outcomes include: proportion of transferred blastocysts/thawed blastocyst, morphological features of blastocysts before embryo transfer, implantation, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy (ultrasound visible gestational sac), miscarriage, multiple pregnancy, preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation), obstetrical and neonatal complications and congenital anomaly rates. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol received a favourable ethical opinion from the Ethical Committee of IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and the Ethical Committee Area 2 Milan. Each participant will provide written consent to participate and remain encoded during the study. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03623659; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Alteri
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Guarneri
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Corti
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Liliana Restelli
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Reschini
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Giardina
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Papaleo
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Edgardo Somigliana
- Infertility Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Grande Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Viganò
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Roelens C, Santos-Ribeiro S, Becu L, Mackens S, Van Landuyt L, Racca A, De Vos M, van de Vijver A, Tournaye H, Blockeel C. Frozen-warmed blastocyst transfer after 6 or 7 days of progesterone administration: impact on live birth rate in hormone replacement therapy cycles. Fertil Steril 2020; 114:125-132. [PMID: 32553469 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the difference in live birth rate (LBR) between frozen-warmed blastocyst transfer (FET) on the 6th or the 7th day of progesterone administration in artificially prepared cycles. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary university-based referral hospital. PATIENT(S) Patients who underwent FET between December 2015 and December 2017 in a hormone replacement therapy cycle (HRT). INTERVENTION(S) Group A included all eligible patients who underwent transfer of a vitrified-warmed blastocyst on the 6th day of progesterone administration; group B included patients who underwent blastocyst transfer on the 7th day of progesterone. The artificial HRT protocol in this study consisted of estrogen administration at a dose of 2 mg twice daily for 7 days followed by 2 mg three times daily for 6 days and micronized vaginal progesterone 200 mg three times daily from an adequately considered endometrial thickness onward. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Live birth rate. RESULTS The study included 619 patients, 346 in group A and 273 in group B. The LBRs were comparable between both groups (36.6% for group A and group B), even after adjustment for confounding factors (adjusted odds ratio 1.073, 95% confidence interval 0.740-1.556). Subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher miscarriage rates for day 6 blastocysts transferred on the 6th day of progesterone supplementation compared with transfer on the 7th day of progesterone supplementation (50.0% versus 21.4%, respectively). Additionally, there was a tendency toward a higher LBR when the 7-day progesterone supplementation protocol was used for transfer of a day 6 blastocyst (21.5% and 35.5% for group A and group B, respectively). CONCLUSION Warmed blastocyst transfer on the 6th compared with the 7th day of progesterone administration in an HRT cycle results in similar LBR. Subgroup analysis of day 6 blastocysts showed significantly higher miscarriage rates when FET was performed on the 6th day of progesterone administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Roelens
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
| | | | - Lauren Becu
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Shari Mackens
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lisbet Van Landuyt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Annalisa Racca
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel De Vos
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Herman Tournaye
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Blockeel
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels, Belgium
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25
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De Rycke M, De Vos A, Belva F, Berckmoes V, Bonduelle M, Buysse A, Keymolen K, Liebaers I, Nekkebroeck J, Verdyck P, Verpoest W. Preimplantation genetic testing with HLA matching: from counseling to birth and beyond. J Hum Genet 2020; 65:445-454. [PMID: 32103123 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-0732-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Preimplantation genetic testing-human leukocyte antigen '(PGT-HLA) only' refers to the HLA typing of single or few cells biopsied from in vitro fertilized preimplantation embryos. The aim of the procedure is to establish a pregnancy, in which the fetus is HLA compatible with an affected sibling in need of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). During PGT-M-HLA, the identification of a HLA-compatible embryo is combined with the detection of mutation(s) underlying immunodeficiencies and hemoglobinopathies. We report a combined retrospective and prospective cohort analysis of PGT-(M-)HLA procedures carried out from 1998 until 2017, with follow-up of transplantations to 2019. During the study period, 234 couples from 22 countries were invited for a multidisciplinary consultation. Two couples were rejected and 70 couples declined (various reasons), leaving 162 couples for which 414 clinical cycles were carried out. Cleavage stage biopsy followed by single-cell multiplex PCR for short tandem repeat-based haplotyping was applied in most cases (98.7%). The diagnostic efficiency was high (94.8%) but only 16.5% of the embryos was genetically suitable for transfer. Fresh and frozen-thawed embryo transfer resulted in 67 clinical pregnancies, 63 deliveries, and 74 live births, of which 60 children were HLA compatible. This yielded a live birth delivery rate of 30.3% per transfer. Information on neonatal characteristics of the matching PGT-(M-)HLA children showed reassuring outcomes. So far, HSCT was carried out successfully for 25 out of 26 cases. In conclusion, our data show that PGT-(M-)HLA is a valuable procedure: the high complexity and limited delivery rate are balanced by the successful HSCT outcome and the positive impact on families.
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Affiliation(s)
- M De Rycke
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium. .,Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Reproduction and Genetics, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - A De Vos
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - F Belva
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V Berckmoes
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - M Bonduelle
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Buysse
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Keymolen
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - I Liebaers
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Nekkebroeck
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - P Verdyck
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - W Verpoest
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Boyard J, Reignier A, Chtourou S, Lefebvre T, Barrière P, Fréour T. Should artificial shrinkage be performed prior to blastocyst vitrification? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. HUM FERTIL 2020; 25:24-32. [DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2019.1701205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Boyard
- IDHEO, Institut des Hautes Études Ostéopathiques, Saint-Herblain, France
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Arnaud Reignier
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Sana Chtourou
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction et de Cytogénétique, Hôpital Aziza Othmana, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Tiphaine Lefebvre
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Paul Barrière
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Thomas Fréour
- Service de Biologie et Médecine du Développement et de la Reproduction, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie UMR 1064, INSERM, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
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27
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Effects of laser zona thinning and artificial blastocoel collapse on the cryosurviving and hatching of buffalo (Bubalus bulalis) blastocysts of different ages. Theriogenology 2019; 147:197-201. [PMID: 31767184 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate whether blastocoel collapse before vitrification induced by laser improves the cryo-survivability of buffalo in-vitro-fertilized (IVF) blastocysts and whether laser assisted hatching (LAH) promotes hatchability of fresh and frozen-thawed IVF blastocysts. The expanded blastocysts were harvested on Days 6-9 and randomly allocated into five groups as follows: (1) blastocysts were vitrified and thawed without any treatment; (2) blastocysts were vitrified after 15-20 μm zona pellucida (ZP) thinning opposite to the inner cell mass, and blastocoels were also blotted in order to outflow the blastocoelic fluid before vitrification; (3) ZP thinning was made immediately after thawing; (4) fresh blastocysts underwent LAH; and (5) as a control, fresh blastocysts without treatment. Results of the present study showed that the cryosurvival rates of vitrified Day 8 and Day 9 blastocysts in Group 2 were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Group 2 than Group 1. The hatching rates of Day 8 and Day 9 blastocysts in Group 2 and Group 3 were also significantly (P < 0.01) higher compared with Group 1. Moreover, the hatching rate of Day 9 blastocysts in Group 4 was notably (P < 0.05) higher than Group 5. In conclusion, LAH promotes the hatching rates of Day 9 fresh and Days 8-9 vitrified blastocysts, and artificial blastocoel collapse before vitrification improves the cryosurvival rate of Days 8-9 IVF buffalo blastocysts.
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28
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Aberkane A, Essahib W, Spits C, De Paepe C, Sermon K, Adriaenssens T, Mackens S, Tournaye H, Brosens JJ, Van de Velde H. Expression of adhesion and extracellular matrix genes in human blastocysts upon attachment in a 2D co-culture system. Mol Hum Reprod 2019; 24:375-387. [PMID: 29846687 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the changes in human embryos, in terms of morphology and gene expression, upon attachment to endometrial epithelial cells? SUMMARY ANSWER Apposition and adhesion of human blastocysts to endometrial epithelial cells are predominantly initiated at the embryonic pole and these steps are associated with changes in expression of adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) genes in the embryo. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Both human and murine embryos have been co-cultured with Ishikawa cells, although embryonic gene expression associated with attachment has not yet been investigated in an in vitro implantation model. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Vitrified human blastocysts were warmed and co-cultured for up to 48 h with Ishikawa cells, a model cell line for receptive endometrial epithelium. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Six days post-fertilization (6dpf) human embryos were co-cultured with Ishikawa cells for 12, 24 (7dpf) or 48 h (8dpf) and attachment rate and morphological development investigated. Expression of 84 adhesion and ECM genes was analysed by quantitative PCR. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to assess the expression of three informative genes at the protein level. Data are reported on 145 human embryos. Mann-Whitney U was used for statistical analysis between two groups, with P < 0.05 considered significant. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The majority of embryos attached to Ishikawa cells at the level of the polar trophectoderm; 41% of co-cultured embryos were loosely attached after 12 h and 86% firmly attached after 24 h. Outgrowth of hCG-positive embryonic cells at 8dpf indicated differentiation of trophectoderm into invasive syncytiotrophoblast. Gene expression analysis was performed on loosely attached and unattached embryos co-cultured with Ishikawa cells for 12 h. In contrast to unattached embryos, loosely attached embryos expressed THBS1, TNC, COL12A1, CTNND2, ITGA3, ITGAV and LAMA3 and had significantly higher CD44 and TIMP1 transcript levels (P = 0.014 and P = 0.029, respectively). LAMA3, THBS1 and TNC expressions were validated at the protein level in firmly attached 7dpf embryos. Thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) resided in the cytoplasm of embryonic cells whereas laminin subunit alpha 3 (LAMA3) and tenascin C (TNC) were expressed on the cell surface of trophectoderm cells. Incubation with a neutralizing TNC antibody did not affect the rate of embryo attachment or hCG secretion. LARGE SCALE DATA None. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This in vitro study made use of an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line to mimic receptive luminal epithelium. Also, the number of embryos was limited. Contamination of recovered embryos with Ishikawa cells was unlikely based on their differential gene expression profiles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Taken together, we provide a 'proof of concept' that initiation of the implantation process coincides with the induction of specific embryonic genes. Genome-wide expression profiling of a larger sample set may provide insights into the molecular embryonic pathways underlying successful or failed implantation. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) A.A. was supported by a grant from the 'Instituut voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie' (IWT, 121716, Flanders, Belgium). This work was supported by the 'Wetenschappelijk Fonds Willy Gepts' (WFWG G142 and G170, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel). The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aberkane
- Research Group Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - W Essahib
- Research Group Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Spits
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C De Paepe
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - T Adriaenssens
- Research Group Follicle Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Mackens
- Research Group Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Brussels University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - H Tournaye
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Brussels University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Science Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - H Van de Velde
- Research Group Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Brussels University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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29
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Herbemont C, Chekroune S, Bonan S, Cedrin-Durnerin I, Vivot A, Sonigo C, Boujenah J, Grynberg M, Sifer C. Impact of post-warming culture duration on clinical outcomes of vitrified good-quality blastocyst transfers: a prospective randomized study. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:1290-1297. [PMID: 30503128 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether post-warming culture duration (1 hour vs. 18 hours) influences implantation rates (IRs) of good-quality blastocysts (GQB) in a good-prognosis population. DESIGN Prospective interventional randomized study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred sixty-two GQB transfers. INTERVENTION(S) Patients' vitrified blastocysts were randomly allocated to group A, warming on the day before transfer (n = 81), or B, warming on the day of transfer (n = 81). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) IR, live birth rate, reexpansion degree, and quality after warming and immediately before transfer. RESULT(S) Quality of the warmed and transferred blastocysts was similar (respectively, 39.1% and 32.7% top quality [≥B4AA/AB/BA] in group A vs. 41.7 and 42.2% in group B). In group A, 14 of 102 blastocysts (12.2%) appeared to be unsuitable for transfer, versus only 1 of 103 (0.9%) in group B, thus leading to an additional warming. As expected, reexpansion degree just before transfer was higher in group A (0.90 vs. 0.70). Likewise, the proportion of hatched blastocysts before transfer was higher after a longer culture period (38.6% in group A vs. 12.7% in group B). IRs were similar (38.0% in group A vs. 36% in group B), as were live birth rates (35.8% in group A vs. 34.6% in group B). CONCLUSION(S) IRs were not different, whatever the duration of post-warming culture of GQB. Both warming strategies could be applied to good-prognosis patients to optimize the laboratory workflow without any detrimental effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Herbemont
- AP-HP, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France; Université, Paris XIII, Bobigny, France
| | - Sarah Chekroune
- AP-HP, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France
| | - Sarah Bonan
- AP-HP, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France
| | - Isabelle Cedrin-Durnerin
- AP-HP, Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France
| | - Alexandre Vivot
- AP-HP, Centre d'Epidémiologie Clinique, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; INSERM, UMR1153, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Sonigo
- AP-HP, Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France; INSERM, U1185, Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Jeremy Boujenah
- AP-HP, Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France; Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France
| | - Michael Grynberg
- Université, Paris XIII, Bobigny, France; AP-HP, Service de Médecine de la Reproduction et Préservation de la Fertilité, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France; INSERM, U1133, Université, Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Sifer
- AP-HP, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Bondy, France; Université, Paris XIII, Bobigny, France.
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30
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Frank LA, Rose RD, Anastasi MR, Tan TCY, Barry MF, Thompson JG, Brown HM. Artificial blastocyst collapse prior to vitrification significantly improves Na+/K+-ATPase-dependent post-warming blastocoel re-expansion kinetics without inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress gene expression in the mouse. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 31:294-305. [DOI: 10.1071/rd17500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocoel expansion during embryo development is known to be reliant on the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, but little is known about the relative contribution of active (Na+/K+-ATPase pump) and facilitated diffusion (aquaporins) water transport during blastocoel re-expansion after vitrification. The aims of this study were to examine potential effects of artificial blastocoel collapse (ABC) on markers of embryo stress and the contribution of active and facilitated diffusion water transport mechanisms to blastocoel re-expansion. Day 5 mouse embryos were vitrified using either a standard protocol, laser pulse ABC, a hyperosmotic sucrose ABC protocol or both laser pulse and sucrose. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, no differences were found in the gene expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) or heat shock protein 90-alpha (Hsp90α) 2h after warming. Similarly, expression of the Na+/K+-ATPase pump gene, ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, beta 1 polypeptide (Atp1b1) and protein did not differ between groups. Aquaporin 8 (Aqp8) gene expression was significantly lower in the laser+sucrose ABC group than in fresh controls, and aquaporin 3 (Aqp3) expression significantly higher in standard vitrified embryos compared with all other groups. Ouabain, a potent and specific Na+/K+-ATPase pump inhibitor, inhibited blastocoel re-expansion in both standard protocol- and laser ABC-vitrified embryos, reducing both groups to the same rate of re-expansion 3h after warming. These results demonstrate that ABC before vitrification does not alter mRNA or protein expression of Na+/K+-ATPase, or mRNA levels of ER stress genes Atf4 and Hsp90α. Activity of the pump may be increased in ABC embryos, with potential compensation by AQP3 when it is compromised.
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31
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Cimadomo D, Capalbo A, Levi-Setti PE, Soscia D, Orlando G, Albani E, Parini V, Stoppa M, Dovere L, Tacconi L, Ievoli E, Maggiulli R, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L. Associations of blastocyst features, trophectoderm biopsy and other laboratory practice with post-warming behavior and implantation. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:1992-2001. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Cimadomo
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- Igenomix, via Fermi 1, Marostica, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Anatomiche, Istologiche, Medico-legali e Dell’apparato Locomotore, Sezione di Istologia ed Embriologia Medica, Sapienza University of Rome, via Scarpa 16, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Daria Soscia
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Orlando
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Albani
- Humanitas Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Valentina Parini
- Humanitas Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marta Stoppa
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Lisa Dovere
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Tacconi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Ievoli
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Maggiulli
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Ubaldi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rienzi
- Clinica Valle Giulia, G.en.e.r.a. Centers for Reproductive Medicine, via de Notaris 2b, Rome, Italy
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32
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Zambelli F, Mertens J, Dziedzicka D, Sterckx J, Markouli C, Keller A, Tropel P, Jung L, Viville S, Van de Velde H, Geens M, Seneca S, Sermon K, Spits C. Random Mutagenesis, Clonal Events, and Embryonic or Somatic Origin Determine the mtDNA Variant Type and Load in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:102-114. [PMID: 29910126 PMCID: PMC6117474 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we deep-sequenced the mtDNA of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs) and their source cells and found that the majority of variants pre-existed in the cells used to establish the lines. Early-passage hESCs carried few and low-load heteroplasmic variants, similar to those identified in oocytes and inner cell masses. The number and heteroplasmic loads of these variants increased with prolonged cell culture. The study of 120 individual cells of early- and late-passage hESCs revealed a significant diversity in mtDNA heteroplasmic variants at the single-cell level and that the variants that increase during time in culture are always passenger to the appearance of chromosomal abnormalities. We found that early-passage hiPSCs carry much higher loads of mtDNA variants than hESCs, which single-fibroblast sequencing proved pre-existed in the source cells. Finally, we show that these variants are stably transmitted during short-term differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Zambelli
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium; S.I.S.Me.R. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Via Mazzini 12, Bologna 40100, Italy
| | - Joke Mertens
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Dominika Dziedzicka
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Johan Sterckx
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christina Markouli
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Alexander Keller
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | | | - Laura Jung
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédérationde Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Stephane Viville
- Institut de Parasitologie et Pathologie Tropicale, EA 7292, Fédérationde Médecine Translationelle, Université de Strasbourg, 3 rue Koeberlé, Strasbourg 67000, France; Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, UF3472-génétique de l'infertilité, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium; Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mieke Geens
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Sara Seneca
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium; Centre for Medical Genetics, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Claudia Spits
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels 1090, Belgium.
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Artificial blastocoel collapse of human blastocysts before vitrification and its effect on re-expansion after warming - a prospective observational study using time-lapse microscopy. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 36:121-129. [PMID: 29212605 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.10.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vitrified human blastocysts show varied re-expansion capacity after warming. This prospective observational study compared behaviour of artificially collapsed blastocysts (study group patients, n = 69) to that of blastocysts that were vitrified without artificial collapse (control group patients, n = 72). Warmed blastocysts were monitored by time-lapse microscopy and blastocoel re-expansion speed and growth patterns compared between study and control groups. These parameters were also retrospectively compared between blastocysts that resulted in live birth and those that failed. Artificially collapsed blastocysts re-expanded on average 15.01 µm2/min faster than control blastocysts (P = 0.0013). Warmed blastocysts expressed four different patterns of blastocoel growth. The pattern showing contractions at the end of culture was observed to have a lower prevalence in control blastocysts, which coincided with the lower incidence of hatching in this group. Re-expansion speed and prevalence of growth patterns were comparable between blastocysts that did and did not result in a live birth. This was seen in the study and control groups. Despite faster re-expansion and different growth patterns of artificially collapsed blastocysts, live birth rate did not differ between groups. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and high risk of bias.
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van de Vijver A, Drakopoulos P, Polyzos NP, Van Landuyt L, Mackens S, Santos-Ribeiro S, Vloeberghs V, Tournaye H, Blockeel C. Vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer on the 5th or 7th day of progesterone supplementation in an artificial cycle: a randomised controlled trial. Gynecol Endocrinol 2017; 33:783-786. [PMID: 28443690 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1318376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Prospective studies comparing different durations of progesterone supplementation before transfer of vitrified-warmed blastocysts in an artificial cycle are lacking. However, in oocyte donation programmes, the sporadic available evidence demonstrates considerable differences in clinical pregnancy rates according to the duration of progesterone administration. This randomised controlled trial (RCT), included 303 patients undergoing a frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) of one or two vitrified-warmed blastocyst(s) in an artificial cycle. Randomisation was performed when the endometrial thickness reached ≥7 mm after oestrogen supplementation. One hundred and fifty two patients in group A received 7 d of vaginal micronised progesterone tablets and 151 patients in group B received 5 d of micronised vaginal progesterone before FET. No differences were seen in clinical pregnancy rate between both groups: 42/152 (27.6%) in group A versus 49/151 (32.5%) in group B. Although no statistically significant difference was observed in clinical pregnancy rates, our study was powered to detect an absolute difference of 16%. In this regard, we cannot exclude that smaller, clinically relevant differences might exist and our study did not have the power to detect this. Patients were also not blinded for the intervention, causing a potential bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- A van de Vijver
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - P Drakopoulos
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - N P Polyzos
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - L Van Landuyt
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - S Mackens
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - S Santos-Ribeiro
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - V Vloeberghs
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - H Tournaye
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
| | - C Blockeel
- a Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel , Brussel , Belgium
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Knudtson JF, Failor CM, Gelfond JA, Goros MW, Chang TA, Schenken RS, Robinson RD. Assisted hatching and live births in first-cycle frozen embryo transfers. Fertil Steril 2017; 108:628-634. [PMID: 28863938 PMCID: PMC5657587 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of assisted hatching (AH) on live-birth rates in a retrospective cohort of patients undergoing first-cycle, autologous frozen embryo transfer (FET). DESIGN Longitudinal cohort using cycles reported to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcomes Reporting System between 2004 and 2013. SETTING Not applicable. PATIENT(S) Women who underwent first-cycle, autologous FET with (n = 70,738) and without (n = 80,795) AH reported from 2004 to 2013. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Live births. RESULT(S) Propensity matching was used to account for confounding covariates, and a logistic regression model was constructed to identify the predictors of live-birth rates in relationship to AH. In all first-cycle FETs, there was a slight but statistically significant decrease in the live-birth rate with AH compared with no AH (34.2% vs. 35.4%). In older patients and in the years 2012-2013 AH was associated with decreased live births. Live-birth rates and the number of AH cycles performed before FET vary by the geographic location of clinics. CONCLUSION(S) Assisted hatching slightly decreases the live-birth rate in first-cycle, autologous FET. Its use should be carefully considered, especially in patients 38 years old and older. Prospective, clinical studies are needed to improve our knowledge of the impact of AH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer F Knudtson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
| | - Courtney M Failor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Jonathan A Gelfond
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Martin W Goros
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Tiencheng Arthur Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Robert S Schenken
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Randal D Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
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Magdi Y, El-Damen A, Fathi AM, Abdelaziz AM, Abd-Elfatah Youssef M, Abd-Allah AAE, Ahmed Elawady M, Ahmed Ibrahim M, Edris Y. Revisiting the management of recurrent implantation failure through freeze-all policy. Fertil Steril 2017; 108:72-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Wang C, Feng G, Zhang B, Zhou H, Shu J, Lin R, Chen H, Wu Z. Effect of different artificial shrinkage methods, when applied before blastocyst vitrification, on perinatal outcomes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:32. [PMID: 28446183 PMCID: PMC5406977 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0252-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, single blastocyst transfer combined with vitrification has been applied widely, which can maximize the cumulative pregnancy rate in per oocyte retrieval cycles and minimize the multiple pregnancy rate. Thus, the guarantee for these is the effectiveness of vitrified blastocyst. Studies has shown that AS of the blastocoel cavity prior to vitrification can reduce injuries, increase the thawed blastocyst survival rate and implantation rate. Several AS methods have been established. However, only a few studies have compared the effectiveness and safety of these AS methods. In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and neonatal outcomes in FET cycles with single blastocyst that were artificially shrunk before vitrification by either LAS or MNAS method. METHODS A retrospective comparative study of FET cycles in infertile patients which were at our clinic between January 2013 and December 2014. These FET cycles were divided into two groups by the shrinking methods used before vitrification and the clinical and neonatal outcomes were assessed. RESULTS There were no statistically differences in blastocyst survival rates (95.40% vs 94.05%, P > 0.05) between the LAS and MNAS groups. However, compared with MNAS, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate (60.82% vs 54.37%, P < 0.05), live birth rate (50.43% vs 45.22%, P < 0.05) and also increased the monozygotic twin rate (4.07% vs 1.73%, P < 0.05). There were no differences in the average gestational weeks (38.83 ± 1.57 vs 38.74 ± 1.75), premature birth rate (0.30% vs 0.49%), average birth weight (3217.89 ± 489.98 g vs 3150.88 ± 524.03 g), low birth weight rate (5.60% vs 8.63%) and malformation rate (0.59% vs 0.48%) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in neonatal outcomes were observed, while in clinical outcomes, LAS improved the warmed blastocyst implantation/clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate markedly, there was also an increased risk of monozygotic twin pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caizhu Wang
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Guixue Feng
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Bo Zhang
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Hong Zhou
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Jinhui Shu
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Ruoyun Lin
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Huanhua Chen
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
| | - Zhulian Wu
- grid.410649.eCenter of Reproductive Medicine, Guangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530003 China
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Abstract
Vitrification is widely used to cryopreserve supernumerary embryos following in vitro fertilization (IVF). The mouse model was used to investigate the effects of vitrification on blastomere viability, using viability markers, and on the cytoskeleton, by analysing spindle/chromosome configurations, using confocal scanning microscopy. Ninety cleavage and morula stage dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO)/EG vitrified mouse embryos were either processed immediately following warming for viability assessment by labelling with the fluorescent markers carboxyfluorescein-diacetate succinimidylester (CFSE) and propidium iodide (PI) or were cultured to the blastocyst stage and immunostained with α-tubulin antibody to visualize microtubules and DAPI or PI to visualize DNA. Sixty-five fresh embryos were also used as the control. Vitrified embryos showed high survival rates following warming, but they had a higher incidence of damaged blastomeres compared with fresh embryos. Most mitotic spindles examined in all groups were normal, but multivariable analysis revealed that the proportion of abnormal spindles was significantly higher in vitrified/warmed embryos (P < 0.05). This study is the first to examine the immediate effects of vitrification on blastomere viability, using fluorescent markers and shows that although vitrification results in a higher incidence of damaged blastomeres, vitrified embryos may compensate for this limited number of damaged/abnormal cells, as development to the blastocyst stage was not compromised.
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Kazemi P, Dashtizad M, Shamsara M, Mahdavinezhad F, Hashemi E, Fayazi S, Hajarian H. Effect of blastocoel fluid reduction before vitrification on gene expression in mouse blastocysts. Mol Reprod Dev 2016; 83:735-42. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz Kazemi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Forough Mahdavinezhad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Ehsan Hashemi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Samaneh Fayazi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB); Tehran Iran
| | - Hadi Hajarian
- Department of Animal Science; Razi University; Kermanshah Iran
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van de Vijver A, Drakopoulos P, Van Landuyt L, Vaiarelli A, Blockeel C, Santos-Ribeiro S, Tournaye H, Polyzos NP. Vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy rates following frozen–thawed embryo transfer: a prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:1749-54. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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Belva F, Bonduelle M, Roelants M, Verheyen G, Van Landuyt L. Neonatal health including congenital malformation risk of 1072 children born after vitrified embryo transfer. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:1610-20. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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