Time-lapse imaging: Morphokinetic analysis of in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Time-lapse imaging (TLI) allows continuous monitoring of embryo development without disturbing culture conditions by removing embryos from the incubator. The study of embryo kinetics using TLI has given rise to some new markers for embryo selection that are able to document and evaluate embryo morphology and the timing of developmental events through continuous live image tracking. Time-lapse imaging has emerged as a powerful tool for creating predictive models of in vitro fertilization outcomes. Fourty-seven articles were included in the present review to investigate the current situation of TLI in in vitro fertilization laboratories. Morphokinetics of the embryo during its in vitro development have been described using parameters indicative of the different events capable of predicting the ability to reach blastocyst stage, implantation and pregnancy rates, live birth outcome, and embryo ploidy.

Effect of Sperm Selection by Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting in D-IUI: A Randomized Control Trial.

Clinical outcome in assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) is mainly influenced by the quality of gametes used. It is known that a high percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation (DNAf) decreases the success of ART clinical results. Therefore, techniques such as magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) help to improve results in cases of patients with a high percentage of DNAf. Cryopreservation of sperm in donor intrauterine insemination (D-IUI) treatments increases sperm DNAf, so patients using these sperm samples can benefit from using this technique. This prospective randomized national multicenter study analyzed clinical outcomes of 181 D-IUI treatments. MACS was performed after density gradient centrifugation (DGC) in 90 thawed semen donor samples (MACSG), whereas only DGC was performed in 91 thawed semen donor samples (CG). To our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the effect of MACS on D-IUI cycles. Our results show no significant differences in gestation, live birth, or miscarriage rates between the two groups. We believe that further studies with a larger sample size are needed to evaluate the application of MACS in combination with standard IUI donor sperm preparations in fertility clinics.