MicroSecure vitrification (µS-VTF) evolved as a non-commercial, FDA-compliant device integrating sterile flexipettes (300µmID; Cook Medical) into CBS™ embryo straws. The mean cooling rate (1391°C/min) and warming rate (6233°C/min) of this closed, aseptic VTF system were verified by Dr. Greg Fahy (Schiewe et al., 2015). In 2014, CBS removed traditional hydrophobic plugged embryo straws from the worldwide marketplace, being replaced by 0.3ml semen straws.

Embryonic chromosomal abnormalities are known to lead to implantation failure, pregnancy loss, severe chromosomal diseases (e.g. Down and ATR-16 syndromes) and have recently been associated with developmental disorders including Autism1. One of the major limitations of PGT-A analysis by traditional genetic analysis is the presence of chromosomal mosaicism within the developing embryo2.

This was a prospective study to compare different commercially available sperm preparation techniques on the same semen sample to determine which methods most effectively improves sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and other sperm health biomarkers, such as oxidative stress adducts (OSA) and high DNA stainability (HDS) index.

Do current standard assessments of vitrified-warmed embryo survival and cellular viability accurately predict blastocyst functionality post-transfer? Do all embryos deemed viable at 3hr sustain development?

Does a mid-term ultrasound of a confirmed male fetus derived from a single non-mosaic euploid 46,XX blastocyst transfer definitely imply a laboratory error occurred?

Ovarian hyperstimulation protocols yielding reduced oocyte maturity rates(<70%) are associated with lower (P<0.05) blastocyst development, euploidy and implantation rates, likely correlated to incomplete cytoplasmic maturation.

Previous studies have shown no difference in blastocyst formation, viability and ongoing pregnancy rates between other commercially available time-lapse incubators and standard large-box incubators1,2. We conclude similar observations in this randomized comparative validation study with the Miri® TL Incubator and standard large-box incubators.

This study was a retrospective analysis of embryos created from 2016 to 2018 in two separate IVF laboratories. Embryos were either cultured to the blastocyst stage in a sequential culture system (G-Series™, Vitrolife), Continuous Single Culture® (CSCM) or Continuous Single Culture®- NX (CSCM-NX) (Irvine Scientific®). 

In frozen embryo transfers with euploid, good morphologic quality embryos, completely hatched blastocyts at the time of transfer resulted in a significantly lower pregnancy success compared to the transfer of expanded or hatching blastocysts.

Among formed blastocysts, those derived from small ovarian follicles (<16mm) tend to have inferior morphometry (smaller ICM or fewer TE cells) when compared to those derived from larger ovarian follicles. This suggests that transfers of blastocysts derived from small follicles might have increased risk of inferior outcomes due to inferior morphometry and morphology.  These differences may clarify relationships between folliculogenesis and embryogenesis.

Among blastocysts selected for biopsy, the diameter of the originating follicle was not a significant predictor of embryo ploidy.

Mean follicle diameter predicted formation of good-quality blastocysts, with a plateau starting at 16mm and with no significant evidence of diminution in good-quality blastocyst formation rate even beyond 28mm mean diameter.

Are human blastocysts homogeneous for chromosomal copy number between multiple samples of the trophectoderm and does trophectoderm ploidy accurately predict ICM ploidy?

Human blastocysts vitrification is equally effective using a simple sucrose step down dilution approach independent of the type of cryoprotective agent used.

Can NextGeneration sequencing (NGS) profile ranking of euploid embryos better predict eSET implantation potential of top quality blastocysts in contrast to morphological grading alone.

Micro-surgical sperm aspiration procedures (PESA and TESE) followed by ICSI and PGS are all suitable approaches for treating azoospermia (Weng, 2014). The choice of surgical procedure is based on the cause of azoospermia: non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) or obstructive azoospermia (OA).

Prospective induction of cellular damage on research aneuploid embryos revealed a positive correlation to mosaicism, suggesting that mosaicism can be a laboratory created artifact.

The principal observed that the progressive swim types of sperm cells are linear mean and circular swim. Using motility characteristic parameters produced by CASA systems, we performed a parameter subset search to produce distinct clusters of the different swim types.

Human sperm motility analysis is a key method in assessing male fertility. It was suggested that the performance of automatic sperm motility analysis systems can be enhanced by adopting multi-target tracking algorithms developed originally for radar technology. We reviewed and appraised several target tracking algorithms operating on synthetic and actual sperm images, and compared their performance.

Independent of age, when using euploid blastocysts, we believe that SET should be adopted as the standard of care for clinics utilizing PGS. This is especially true for the first ET attempt by patients of advanced maternal age to optimize implantation rates and reduce the potential wastage of precious euploid embryos.