The impact of implementing a non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (niPGT-A) embryo culture protocol on embryo viability and clinical outcomes.

Study Question: Are modifications in the embryo culture protocol needed to perform non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (niPGT-A) affecting clinical reproductive outcomes, including blastocyst development and pregnancy outcomes?

Summary Answer: The implementation of an embryo culture protocol to accommodate niPGT-A has no impact on blastocyst viability or pregnancy outcomes.

What Is Known Already: The recent identification of embryo cell-free (cf) DNA in spent blastocyst media has created the possibility of simplifying PGT-A. Concerns, however, have arisen at two levels.

A robust metabolomics approach for the evaluation of human embryos from fertilization.

The identification of the most competent embryos for transfer to the uterus constitutes the main challenge of fertilization (IVF). We established a metabolomic-based approach by applying Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on 130 samples of 3-day embryo culture supernatants from 26 embryos that implanted and 104 embryos that failed. On examining the internal structure of the data by unsupervised multivariate analysis, we found that the supernatant spectra of nonimplanted embryos constituted a highly heterogeneous group.

COVID-19 risk assessment and safety management operational guidelines for IVF center reopening.

Purpose: To promote nationwide dissemination and implementation of COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Safety Management Operational Guidelines, drawn up by SAMeR Task Force in ART centers in Argentina. Our objective is to prevent and mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at an institutional level, while reducing the risk of infection among both physicians and patients in the context of a critical scenario in the local and Latin American healthcare system.

Methods: SAMeR Executive Committee set up a crisis committee which was made up of specialists in reproductive medicine, embryology, and healthcare management.

Platelet-derived growth factor BB and DD and angiopoietin1 are altered in follicular fluid from polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological pathology among women of reproductive age, and is characterized by abnormalities in ovarian angiogenesis, among other features. Consistent with this association, follicular fluid (FF) concentration and ovarian expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are increased in PCOS patients. In this study, we examined the protein levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB and DD (PDGFBB and PDGFDD), angiopoietin 1 and 2 (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their soluble receptor sTIE2 in FF from PCOS and control patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques.

Live birth and normal 1-year follow-up of a baby born after transfer of cryopreserved embryos from rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection of 1-day-old oocytes.

Objective: To report the birth and normal pediatric follow-up of the first baby born after transfer of embryos derived from cryopreserved rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Design: Case report.

Setting: Academic fertility unit.