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).
Author(s): Hong KH(1), Lee H(2), Forman EJ(3), Upham KM(2), Scott RT Jr(3).
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)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.
(2)Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
(3)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.
Publication date & source: 2014, Fertil Steril. , 102(3):767-73
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.
DESIGN: Paired randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Academic.
PATIENT(S): Infertile couples (n=52) with a female partner less than 42 years old
with eight or more mature oocytes retrieved.
INTERVENTION(S): 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.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Rate of development of expanded blastocysts suitable for
transfer or vitrification (primary outcome), fertilization, aneuploidy, and
sustained implantation.
RESULT(S): 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.
CONCLUSION(S): IVF culture at 36°C does not improve clinically relevant
parameters of embryo development or sustained implantation rates.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01506089.
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