Ultra-fast vitrification and rapid elution of human oocytes: Part II - verification of blastocyst development from mature oocytes.

Research Question: Will ultra-fast vitrification (UFV) and rapid elution of mature human oocytes retain the reliable, high survival rates and meiotic spindle normality seen in the germinal vesicle model, and will these oocytes maintain their developmental competence to form blastocyst-stage embryos following artificial oocyte activation (AOA)?

Design: Conventional vitrification treatment was compared with UFV treatment in mature, germinal-vesicle-derived oocytes (Phase 2, Expt. 2, n = 50) and substandard donor oocytes, metaphase I-metaphase II (MII) oocytes and poor-quality MII oocytes (n = 222). Post-warming survival, the integrity of the meiotic spindle and AOA-related development were assessed.

Casting for determinants of blastocyst yield and of rates of implantation and of pregnancy after blastocyst transfers.

Objective: To identify determinants of blastocyst yield, implantation rate, and pregnancy outcome.

Design: Retrospective analysis of outcomes of 1,653 cycles of IVF.

Setting: Private infertility clinic.

The rate at which serum total beta-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin increases after embryo transfer is a predictor of the viability of pregnancy and an identifier of determinants of pregnancy.

Objective: To determine whether elements of treatment associated with faster doubling times of total beta-hCG in serum (beta-t2) in pregnant patients are also associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy in all patients.

Design: Retrospective analysis of beta-t2 values, elements of ovarian stimulation (COH), and outcomes.

Setting: Private assisted reproductive technology (ART) center.

Embryo fragmentation as a determinant of blastocyst development in vitro and pregnancy outcomes following embryo transfer.

Objective(s): To determine how the type of embryo fragmentation on day 3 affects progression of human embryos to blastocyst and pregnancy rates following embryo transfer.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of all in vitro fertilization cycles in patients < or =40 years of age or younger from January 2002 through December 2003, during which time surplus day 3 embryos were transferred to blastocyst medium for extended culture. All embryos (4 cells or more) not suitable for transfer or freezing 72 hours following in vitro fertilization were placed into microdroplets (60 microL) of blastocyst medium and cultured for an additional 48 hours to assess blastocyst formation.