A prospective, multicenter, randomized, sibling oocyte study was conducted with 86 couples to evaluate if a microfluidic sperm separation device improved ICSI sperm selection and subsequent cycle outcomes of fertilization, blastocyst utilization, ploidy, and clinical pregnancy rate when applied to a general patient population. Patients with at least 10 metaphase II oocytes were enrolled in the study and sibling oocyte groups were split in half.

Does patient access to time-lapse technology improve their cycle experience, or is it simply perceived as another add-on?

Do AI models used to assess embryo viability (based on pregnancy outcome) also correlate with known embryo quality measures such as ploidy status?

Do the base ingredients and total composition of vitrification media have an effect on meiotic spindle reformation in warmed donor oocytes?

Under deadly pandemic conditions involving the novel SARS-CoV-2 corona virus, could biopsied blastocysts be safely cryopreserved, stored and utilized for subsequent warming cycles?

The correlation between AI and known features of embryo quality (Gardner score) substantiates the use of the AI for embryo assessment. The AI score provides further insight into components of the Gardner score, and may detect morphological features related to clinical pregnancy beyond those evaluated by the Gardner method.

This study aimed to validate effective protocols that can ease concerns regarding the warming of vitrified blastocysts sent to outside laboratories, when alternatives to their typical commercial products are needed.

An AI model trained on clinical pregnancy data showed superior ranking ability and a shorter time to pregnancy, compared with embryologists’ ranking (random chance), for simulated cohorts of transferred embryos. In the United States, with 300,000 annual IVF cycles, AI could achieve total patient savings of $360 million. Globally, with more than 2.5 million cycles, AI could achieve global patient savings of $3 billion.

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.

ERAs have become popular tests in fertility patients with recurrent implantation failure and are used to personalize the timing of the transfer of embryos based on endometrial receptivity. Our study was performed to determine if blastocyst stage, at time of transfer, influences pregnancy outcomes when transferred based on ERA recommendations.

Our goal was to determine if the ZyMōt microfluidic sperm separation device effectively improved ICSI sperm selection and subsequent embryo development applied to a general IVF patient population.

Can computer vision image annotation techniques be used alongside machine learning to provide reliable blastocyst evaluation that is robust to different camera or microscope types?

Cells comprise mechanically active matter that governs their functionality, but intracellular mechanics are difficult to study directly and are poorly understood. Injected nanodevices open up opportunities to analyze intracellular mechanobiology. This study identifies a program of forces and changes to the cytoplasmic mechanical properties required for mouse embryo development from fertilization to the first cell division.

Previously, 1PN zygotes were routinely considered abnormal and were discarded. Our data confirms that 1PN zygotes can develop into euploid blastocysts. This coincides with previous work showing the potential of 1PN zygotes to develop into genetically normal blastocysts capable of producing healthy live births.

Embryo selection following IVF is a critical factor in determining the success of ensuing pregnancy. Traditional morphokinetic grading by trained embryologists can be subjective and variable, and other complementary techniques, such as time-lapse imaging, require costly equipment and have not reliably demonstrated predictive ability for the endpoint of clinical pregnancy. AI methods are being investigated as a promising means for improving embryo selection and predicting implantation and pregnancy outcomes.

Can artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision provide improvement to embryo viability prediction using static 2D images of Day 5 embryos from multiple laboratories?

Tank quality and type of vacuum breach can influence the rate of failure. In all cases overt physical signs of pending failure were continuously visible for >14h before critical temperatures were reached. Overall, external quality measurements and device systems represent a promising future offering greater precision, labor efficiency, and improved specimen security/safety.

Bridging the gap between preimplantation genetics and prenatal cytogenetics has the potential to be a powerful tool for clinicians treating infertile couples. The literature has reported that mosaicism is clinically relevant.

 Remote monitoring of LN2 dewar tank weights can be an effective and more precise method to measure daily and weekly usage/evaporization rates. Manual dipstick measures are subject to user error and complacency in QC practices, whereas remote weight measurements are not. Additionally, a weight-based Ew threshold alarm may represent an improved early warning alarm system for the potential detection of a failure scenario.

It is well understood that multiple factors influence stimulation and oocyte maturity. Nonetheless, after a half decade of data collection, this study has identified a measurable outcome, oocyte cohort maturity, which predicts an increased risk of aneuploidy, a decreased euploid cycle outcome and embryos with a reduced implantation potential. Cohort maturity is influenced by several factors, including age, AMH, FSH, stimulation protocol, and endocrine/ovarian conditions.