Semi-automated versus manual embryo vitrification: inter-operator variability, time-saving, and clinical outcomes.
J Assist Reprod Genet
; 38(12): 3213-3222, 2021 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34755236
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Does semi-automated vitrification have lower inter-operator variability and better clinical outcomes than manual vitrification?METHODS:
Retrospective analyses of 282 patients whose embryos had been cryopreserved, manually with Irvine®-CBS® (MV) or semi-automatically vitrified with the GAVI® method (AV) (from November 2017 to September 2020). Both techniques were performed during the same period by 5 operators. Inter-operator variability was statistically analyzed between operators who performed the vitrification and those who performed the warming process to compare the intact survival rate (% embryos with 100% intact blastomeres) and the positive survival rate (at least 50% intact blastomeres). Additionally, the complete vitrification time was assessed for the 2 techniques according to the number of vitrified embryos.RESULTS:
Manual vitrification involved warming 338 embryos in 266 cycles for 181 couples compared to 212 embryos in 162 AV cycles for 101 patients. The positive survival rate was higher (p < 0.05) after MV (96%; 323/338) than after AV (90%; 191/212). The intact survival rate (86 vs 84%) and the clinical pregnancy rate (27 vs 22%) were not significantly different between MV and AV. Regarding the inter-operator variability, no significant difference in positive and intact survival rate was evident between the 5 technicians, neither by vitrification nor by warming steps with MV and AV. Concerning time-saving, the MV technique proved to be quicker than AV (minus 11 ± 9 min).CONCLUSIONS:
Manual vitrification exhibited favorable total survival rates and was more time efficient, while both MV and AV cooling and warming treatments showed little operator variability.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cryopreservation
/
Embryo, Mammalian
/
Embryo Transfer
Type of study:
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Journal:
J Assist Reprod Genet
Journal subject:
GENETICA
/
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
France