title: Optimizing the culture environment and embryo manipulation to help maintain embryo developmental potential.
abstract: With increased use of comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS), the question remains as to why some practices do not experience the same high levels of clinical success after implementation of the approach. Indeed, the debate surrounding the efficacy and usefulness of blastocyst biopsy and CCS continues. Importantly, several variables impact the success of an assisted reproductive technology cycle. Transfer of a euploid embryo is but one factor in an intricate system that requires numerous steps to occur successfully. Certainly, the culture environment and the manipulations of the embryo during its time in the laboratory can impact its reproductive potential. Environmental stressors ranging from culture media to culture conditions and even culture platform can impact biochemical, metabolic, and epigenetic patterns that can affect the developing cell independent of chromosome number. Furthermore, accompanying procedures, such as biopsy and vitrification, are complex and, when performed improperly, can negatively impact embryo quality. These are areas that likely still carry room for improvement within the IVF laboratory.
authors: CCRM IVF Laboratory Network, Englewood, Colorado. Electronic address: jswain@ccrmivf.com.
authors: Jason E
authors: JE
authors: Swain
authors: Department of Surgery (Urology) and Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors: Doug
authors: D
authors: Carrell
authors: Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Cobo
authors: Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Marcos
authors: M
authors: Meseguer
authors: Igenomix, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Rubio
authors: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Ob/Gyn, Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors: Gary D
authors: GD
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D013696:Temperature; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058989:Vitrification
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: CCS; Embryo culture; blastocyst; co-culture; vitrification