Status Quo – Or Is It Time to Reconsider the Vitrification Method Relative to the Risk of Embryo Disease Transmission in Cryostorage?

Written By Margot Allen

Presented at: Newport Beach, California; Linden, New Jersey

Authors: M.C. Schiewe ; S. Zozula ; N. Nugent ; J.J. Stachecki ; R.E. Anderson

Objective: The current global pandemic has triggered concerns regarding the potential infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to blastomeres known to possess ACE-2 receptors. This retrospective analysis of clinical practices investigated the effectiveness of a validated, closed vitrification system relative to zona pellucida-intact and non-intact blastocyst cryopreservation.

Published: ASRM 2020, Poster Presentation

Why This Research Helps Patients:

Embryos vitrified in an insulated straw environment are safe and secure under all conditions, and are more resistant to detrimental additive temperature fluxes that can occur under sub-optimal cryostorage handling procedures. Decades of science behind understanding disease transmission potential have been based on applied research with Zona-intact eggs and embryos. Because an exposed trophectoderm may be more vulnerable to infection, the use of closed-system vitrification is the best lab practice and may protect people from others’ pathogens in the future.

Margot Allen
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