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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 6/2016

01-06-2016 | Embryo Biology

Oxidative markers in cryopreservation medium from frozen-thawed embryos: a possible tool for improved embryo selection in in vitro fertilization?

Authors: Zofnat Wiener-Megnazi, Shirly Lahav-Baratz, Idit Blais, Sarah Matarasso, Mara Koifman, Sergei Shnizer, David Ishai, Gil Peer, Grace Younes, Ariel Zilberlicht, Ron Auslander, Martha Dirnfeld

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 6/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study evaluated the association between oxidative parameters in embryo cryopreservation medium and laboratory and clinical outcomes.

Methods

This prospective laboratory study was conducted in an IVF unit in a university-affiliated hospital with 91 IVF patients undergoing a frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle. Following thawing, 50 μL of embryo cryopreservation medium was retrieved from each cryotube and tested by the thermochemiluminescence (TCL) assay. TCL amplitudes after 50 (H1), 150 (H2), and 280 s (H3) were recorded in counts per second (CPS) and the TCL ratio determined for comparison with implantation and pregnancy rates.

Results

A total of 194 embryos were transferred in 85 frozen-thaw cycles. Twenty-one pregnancies (24.7 %) occurred. Implantation and overall and clinical pregnancy rates were higher when the median TCL H1 amplitude was <32 CPS compared to ≥32 CPS (14.6 vs. 5.3 %, 37.5 vs. 17 %, 28.1 vs. 9.4 %, respectively). No pregnancies occurred when the H1 amplitude was ≥40 CPS. Logistic regression multivariate analysis found that only the median TCL H1 amplitude was associated with the occurrence of pregnancy (OR = 2.93, 95 % CI 1.065–8.08). The TCL ratio inversely correlated with the duration of embryo cryopreservation (r = −0.37).

Conclusions

The results indicate that thawed embryos may express oxidative processes in the cryopreservation medium, and higher oxidative levels are associated with lower implantation rates. These findings may aid in the improved selection of frozen-thawed embryos for IVF.
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Metadata
Title
Oxidative markers in cryopreservation medium from frozen-thawed embryos: a possible tool for improved embryo selection in in vitro fertilization?
Authors
Zofnat Wiener-Megnazi
Shirly Lahav-Baratz
Idit Blais
Sarah Matarasso
Mara Koifman
Sergei Shnizer
David Ishai
Gil Peer
Grace Younes
Ariel Zilberlicht
Ron Auslander
Martha Dirnfeld
Publication date
01-06-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0692-6

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