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The heat is on: room temperature affects laboratory equipment–an observational study

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effect of ambient room temperature on equipment typically used in in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Design

We set the control temperature of the room to 20 °C (+/−0.3) and used CIMScan probes to record temperatures of the following equipment: six microscope heating stages, four incubators, five slide warmers and three heating blocks. We then increased the room temperature to 26 °C (+/−0.3) or decreased it to 17 °C (+/−0.3) and monitored the same equipment again. We wanted to determine what role, if any, changing room temperature has on equipment temperature fluctuation.

Results

There was a direct relationship between room temperature and equipment temperature stability. When room temperature increased or decreased, equipment temperature reacted in a corresponding manner. Statistical differences between equipment were found when the room temperature changed. What is also noteworthy is that temperature of equipment responded within 5 min to a change in room temperature.

Conclusions

Clearly, it is necessary to be aware of the affect of room temperature on equipment when performing assisted reproductive procedures. Room and equipment temperatures should be monitored faithfully and adjusted as frequently as needed, so that consistent culture conditions can be maintained. If more stringent temperature control can be achieved, human assisted reproduction success rates may improve.

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Acknowledgments

The authors' would like to acknowledge H. Lee Higdon III, Ph.D. for his statistical assistance.

Conflicts of interest

None of the authors have a conflict of interest.

All funding for this research came from within the department.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Health System University Medical Group, 890 W. Faris Rd., Suite 470, Greenville, SC, USA

    Julia M. Butler, Jane E. Johnson & William R. Boone

Authors
  1. Julia M. Butler
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  2. Jane E. Johnson
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  3. William R. Boone
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia M. Butler.

Additional information

This research was submitted to the Faculty of Eastern Virginia Medical School in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences-Clinical Embryology and Andrology. Norfolk, Virginia May 2012.

Capsule Because modest changes in ambient air can affect surrounding equipment, it is necessary to be aware of room temperature when performing assisted reproductive procedures.

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Butler, J.M., Johnson, J.E. & Boone, W.R. The heat is on: room temperature affects laboratory equipment–an observational study. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1389–1393 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0064-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0064-4

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