title: Examining the temperature of embryo culture in in vitro fertilization: a randomized controlled trial comparing traditional core temperature (37°C) to a more physiologic, cooler temperature (36°C).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether culture at a more physiologically cooler temperature, as suggested by limited human and animal data, would improve blastulation and pregnancy rates in human clinical IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile couples (n=52) with a female partner less than 42 years old with eight or more mature oocytes retrieved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mature oocytes obtained from a single cohort of oocytes were randomly divided into two groups; one was cultured at 37°C and the other at 36°C from the time of ICSI to the time of embryo transfer or vitrification. Paired embryo transfers were accomplished by transferring one euploid embryo from each group. DNA fingerprinting was used as needed to determine the outcome for each embryo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rate of development of expanded blastocysts suitable for transfer or vitrification (primary outcome), fertilization, aneuploidy, and sustained implantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 805 mature oocytes were cultured; 399 at 36°C and 406 at 37°C. Paired analysis demonstrated a higher rate of usable blastocyst formation per zygote at 37°C (48.4%) vs. at 36°C (41.2%). Rates of fertilization, aneuploidy, and sustained implantation were equivalent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IVF culture at 36°C does not improve clinically relevant parameters of embryo development or sustained implantation rates.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01506089.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Electronic address: khong@rmanj.com.
authors.forename: Kathleen H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Hokyung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Upham
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Culture temperature; embryo development; human embryo culture; in vitro fertilization