Good Tissue Practices (GTP) for the Cryopreservation of Reproductive Tissues in an Era of Pandemic-mania: What is the Best Practice Policy?

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 to date has altered all our lives and how clinical medicine is practiced. Faced with a highly infectious coronavirus, specifically known as Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), in our homes, clinical environment and laboratories, we have applied preventative measures to potentially control and contain this mysterious pathogen. Although the concepts of frequent handwashing/ disinfection, social distancing and face mask wearing were rigidly applied with regional variation of acceptance in the USA, clinics and reproductive biology/IVF laboratories adapted strict global policies for a safer workplace for our staff, patients, and the specimens we handled. We address the concerns that resurfaced with the COVID -19 pandemic, regarding potential disease transmission between hosts, reproductive tissue (sperm, oocytes and embryos), recipient uteri and the fetus. To what extent were preventative measures sufficient and is there a need for adopting “best practices” above and beyond established “good tissue practices”. In fear of future pandemic disease events (“pandemic-mania”) impacting fertility treatments, this paper addresses the rationale and benefits of adhering strictly to best practices, like the use of secure closed system biocontainment in cryostorage as an important preventative measure. Additionally, historical and current perspectives are discussed and the ability to change established practices under the guise of commercial influences.