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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 3/2018

01-03-2018 | Embryo Biology

Comparison of the development of human embryos cultured in either an EmbryoScope or benchtop incubator

Authors: R. Sciorio, J. K. Thong, S. J. Pickering

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

In this current study, our main goal was to establish that EmbryoScope incubation environment is comparable to standard incubation.

Methods

The development of sibling human zygotes was compared after culture in either a benchtop incubator (SI) or an EmbryoScope time-lapse incubator (ES). Between May 2015 to April 2016, a total of 581 normally fertilized 2PN, pronuclear-stage embryos, from 47 patients were allocated to culture in either a benchtop incubator (SI) or an EmbryoScope incubator (ES).

Results

The development of embryos to cleavage (up to day 3) and blastocyst stages (day 5/6) was compared between the two different incubators. The proportion of good quality embryos was higher in the ES group compared to the SI on day 2 (66.8 vs. 50.5%, P = 0.014) and on day 3 (75.1 vs. 56.0%, P = 0.006). Those differences were statistically significant. A higher proportion of embryos developed to good quality blastocysts when cultured in the EmbryoScope compared to the benchtop (49.4 vs. 42.0%, P = 0.24), but this was not significant. Finally, no significant differences were noted with the proportion of blastocysts chosen for cryopreservation on day 5/6 in the two incubators.

Conclusions

The findings support the view that the EmbryoScope incubator supports at least equivalent in vitro development of human embryos compared to other standard incubation methods and may promote improved development during early cleavage stages.
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of the development of human embryos cultured in either an EmbryoScope or benchtop incubator
Authors
R. Sciorio
J. K. Thong
S. J. Pickering
Publication date
01-03-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1100-6

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