Oxidative parameters of embryo culture media may predict treatment outcome in in vitro fertilization: a novel applicable tool for improving embryo selection.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the oxidative status of an individual embryo before transfer may predict chances of implantation.


METHODS
A prospective laboratory study.


METHODS
An IVF unit in a university-affiliated hospital.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-three women undergoing IVF-ET treatment cycles.


METHODS
Before ET, 10 μL of embryo culture medium was retrieved individually from each embryo and the oxidative status assessed by the thermochemiluminescence (TCL) analyzer.


METHODS
The occurrence of pregnancy. Two parameters were recorded: the TCL amplitude after 50 seconds (H1) and the TCL ratio. These were compared with demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and treatment outcome. All data underwent statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Altogether 284 embryos were transferred in 133 ET cycles. Forty-one pregnancies occurred (31%). For embryos transferred after 72 hours (77 transfers), the highest H1 levels in each group of transferred embryos correlated with the occurrence of pregnancy. The combination of maximal intracohort H1 level <210 counts per second with a TCL ratio of ≤ 80% had a positive predictive value of 70.6% for the occurrence of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The oxidative status of the early embryo in IVF is associated with the chances of implantation. Assessment of the oxidative status of embryos in culture media before transfer may serve as an applicable tool for improving embryo selection in light of the legal limitations of the number of transferred embryos allowed.
Fertility and IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center, the Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel. wiener_zofnat@clalit.org.il
Zofnat
Z
Wiener-Megnazi
Hanna
H
Shiloh
Limor
L
Avraham
Shirly
S
Lahav-Baratz
Mara
M
Koifman
Abraham Z
AZ
Reznick
Ron
R
Auslender
Martha
M
Dirnfeld
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003470:Culture Media