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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-08-2013 | Embryo Biology

Short-term storage of tripronucleated human embryos

Authors: Noelia Grau, Belén Aparicio, Laura Escrich, Amparo Mercader, Arantzazu Delgado, José Remohí, María-José Escribá

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 8/2013

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the survival and subsequent in vitro development of human cleavage stage embryos and hatched blastocysts following varying periods of short-term storage at 4 °C, using tripronucleated human embryos (TPN) as a model.

Methods

TPN cleavage embryos and hatched blastocysts short-term stored at 4 °C for 0 h (control), 24 h and 48 h. The main outcome measures were: survival rates (SR) and in vitro developmental ability (blastocyst rate and blastocyst-re-expansion rate) in each of the groups after storage.

Results

Cleavage-stage TPN survived at comparable rates to controls, regardless of storage time (average: 97.3 %). The in vitro development of cleavage-stage TPN stored for 24 h was comparable to that of controls (average 64.7 %), but was significantly impaired when storage lasted 48-h (20.8 %). After artificial shrinkage, SR was comparable in 24-h-stored and non-stored hatched blastocysts (85.7 %; p > 0.05), but was significantly impaired in the 48-h-stored group (20.0 %). Following 24-h storage, the re-expansion rate of hatched blastocysts was similar to that of controls (average: 57.1 %; p > 0.05), but was higher than that of the 48-h-stored group (15.0 %; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

TPN human cleavage embryos and blastocysts can be successfully stored short-term for up to 24 h at 4 °C without using cryoprotectants without any significant negative impact on survival or subsequent in vitro development.

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Title: Short-term storage of tripronucleated human embryos
Authors: Noelia Grau
Belén Aparicio
Laura Escrich
Amparo Mercader
Arantzazu Delgado
José Remohí
María-José Escribá
Publication date: 01-08-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 8/2013
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0036-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Short-term storage of tripronucleated human embryos

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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