Noninvasive embryo assessment technique based on buoyancy and its association with embryo survival after cryopreservation

Wessels, C.E.; Penrose, L.; Ahmad, Khaliq; Prien, Samuel D.

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.07.010

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[9] [10] [11] Proven equipment and techniques have increased ART efficiency and pregnancy rates. [1]- [8] [12]- [18] In comparison, the effectiveness of other new techniques, such as cell-free PGT, the harvest of extracellular DNA from the media, or other noninvasive embryo assessment tools, remains to be determined but would be a great improvement. [9] [10] [11] [16]- [22] On the male side of fertility, few would argue against ISCI being the biggest improvement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple One-Step System Enhances the Availability of High-Quality Sperm for Assisted Reproductive Procedures

Prien,

Moseley,

Singh-Sharma

et al. 2023

OJOG

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Over the last forty years, in vitro fertilization, which has expanded to assisted reproductive technologies (ART), has gone from an experimental procedure to the mainstay of infertility treatment. A technique that once made news with each birth is now responsible for 2% -3% of the babies born in several nations of the world. This has happened due to significant advances in hormone therapies, culture techniques, and the specialization of equipment designed to support oocytes and embryos. However, for all the advances made to support female fertility, little has changed in male treatment since the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in the early 1990's. Recently, a number of authors have documented problems with sperm preparation techniques. Some report DNA damage, others membrane and organelle issues, all of which potentially hamper fertilization rates and possibly take-home baby rates. Further, as the clinical workload of ART has increased and staffing shortages have become critical, all labs are looking for simpler, more efficient ways to perform job functions. This study describes a simple, one-step method for preparing semen samples for ART. This new technique minimizes excessive manipulation of the sample compared to current standards and is less likely to cause cell damage. Preliminary results suggest a significant enhancement in recovered sample motility and an optimal sample for ART procedures with minimal sample manipulation.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple One-Step System Enhances the Availability of High-Quality Sperm for Assisted Reproductive Procedures

Prien,

Moseley,

Singh-Sharma

et al. 2023

OJOG

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previously, our lab created a method to detect embryo viability with a noninvasive embryo assessment technique (NEAT) using a specific gravity device (SGD) [24,25]. Applying this technique to oocytes would allow further indication of oocyte viability, thus reducing time and energy spent freezing and thawing incompetent oocytes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Noninvasive Method for Assessing Oocyte Competency

Wells¹,

Penrose²,

Orth³

et al. 2020

CROGR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is an increasing demand to evaluate oocyte competency and viability for oocyte cryopreservation and use for in vitro fertilization. Oocytes suffer decreased survival of cryopreservation as compared to embryos, due to physical characteristics of the oocyte. The objective of this study is to determine if a specific gravity device (SGD) can estimate oocyte viability based on oocyte descent through the buoyancy system. All experiments were performed in a research laboratory with a randomized block design with repeated measures. Three hundred-seventy-six oocytes were collected from seven mice and randomly assigned to one of four treatments: exposure to 60C for 30 min, acidified media for 1h, ethylene glycol-glycerol cryoprotectant for 1h, or standard culture to serve as control. To further analyze the relationship between oocyte descent time and viability, 98 additional oocytes were passed through SGD before and after treatment. Oocytes were stained with Coomassie Blue to determine membrane permeability and estimate viability based on treatment. Oocytes treated with 60C heat, acidified media and ethylene glycol/ glycerol cryoprotectant solution demonstrated altered descent times from control and pre-treatment oocytes (P<0.05). Oocytes exposed to heat and cryoprotectants descended more rapidly through SGD than control and pre-treatment oocytes (P<0.05). Oocytes treated with acidified media descended more slowly through SGD (P<0.05). Permeation of stain into oocytes exposed to lethal treatments confirmed changes in membrane integrity post-treatment and further indicates SGD can detect such shifts. This suggests SGD can predict competency between live and dead oocytes. In conclusion, SGD can detect shifts in oocyte density due to altered membrane permeability, which can suggest information about oocyte competency. This information can help differentiate between high- and low-quality fresh oocytes to help select which oocytes to freeze and result in improved oocyte cryopreservation and fertilization.

show abstract