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Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 10/2016

01-10-2016 | Embryo Biology

Transfer of IVF-contaminated blastocysts with removal of the zona pellucida resulted in live births

Authors: Yimin Shu, David Prokai, Sarah Berga, Robert Taylor, Erika Johnston-MacAnanny

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 10/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Bacterial contamination may cause loss or damage to cultured oocytes or embryos, resulting in cancelation or delaying of a fresh embryo transfer. While live births have been reported following the transfer of embryos contaminated with yeast, very little information is available on how to handle embryos with bacterial contamination. We report two cases of successful pregnancy in patients with bacterial contamination of embryo culture dishes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 878 oocyte retrievals performed between January 2011 and December 2014. Bacterial contamination was recorded in two split IVF/ICSI cases, where contamination occurred in embryo culture drops containing embryos from conventional insemination but not from ICSI on day 3.

Results

To minimize the adverse effects of bacterial contamination on transfer outcomes, we removed the zona pellucida of contaminated frozen blastocysts and successfully obtained clinical pregnancies following transfer of zona-free blastocysts that were previously contaminated during IVF culture.

Conclusions

Removal of the zona pellucida is an appropriate approach to handle blastocysts contaminated with bacteria during in vitro culture.
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Metadata
Title
Transfer of IVF-contaminated blastocysts with removal of the zona pellucida resulted in live births
Authors
Yimin Shu
David Prokai
Sarah Berga
Robert Taylor
Erika Johnston-MacAnanny
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 10/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0776-3

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