title: Policy of IVF centres towards oocytes affected by Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum aggregates: a multicentre survey study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The presence of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum aggregates (SERa) has been reported to be associated with adverse outcomes. An Alpha-ESHRE Consensus was published in 2011, strongly recommending to not inseminating affected oocytes. On the other hand, healthy babies have been born from oocytes presenting this dysmorphism. We surveyed several European IVF centres, to assess their attitudes concerning affected oocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This survey is based on a computer format and includes questions regarding the fate of affected oocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 14 % of centres who answered our survey discard SERa+ oocytes. 43 % of centres that do not discard the oocytes, register and follow up neonatal data. About a quarter of centres inform their patients about this dysmorphism. Half of them require an informed consent prior to transferring affected embryos. Twenty-one centres reported having SERa+ births, with one reporting a malformation. 48 % of centres declared having been influenced by the Alpha-ESHRE Consensus, in their management policy of SERa+ oocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few centres scrupulously respect the recommendations of the Alpha-ESHRE Consensus and discard affected oocytes. Since it is essential to determine if there truly is an impact of this dysmorphism and whether the guidelines are still valid, transfer of affected embryos should only be done when accompanied with data recording and monitoring of all foetal malformations from IVF. Clarifying the situation will allow IVF centres to correctly inform patients about the risk of birth malformations as well as whether a decreased chance of pregnancy exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, CHU St Pierre, (Université Libre de Bruxelles), rue Haute 322, Brussels, 1000, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Beirs
authors.forename: Chloë
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaw-Jackson
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rozenberg
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Autin
mesh_terms: D004624:Embryo Transfer; D018871:Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D057766:Policy