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Comparison of Embryo and Clinical Outcomes in Different Types of Incubator Between Two Different Embryo Culture Systems

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of an oxidative stress-reducing embryo culture system (ORES) containing compounds that minimize intercellular oxidative stress, with those of a standard embryo culture system (StES). Furthermore, we investigated the efficiency of the ORES regarding the type of incubator used (time-lapse incubator [TLI] or non-time-lapse dry incubator [non-TLI]) and maternal age. In this retrospective study, we analyzed 3610 oocyte retrieval cycles (in 2537 patients) and 1726 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) cycles (in 1726 patients) performed in a single center between April 2018 and July 2019. Transfers of single vitrified-warmed blastocysts, confirmed by fetal heartbeat, were used to assess clinical outcomes. The clinical outcomes of ORES and StES were compared in both TLI and non-TLI. Groups were stratified according to maternal age (≤39 years old, young age group; ≥40 years old, advanced age group). A significant difference in ongoing pregnancy rates was observed between the ORES and StES groups when non-TLI was used (34.9 vs. 27.0%, respectively; p < 0.05), unlike when TLI was used. Furthermore, ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the ORES group (24.8%) than in the StES group (14.9%) in the advanced age group, unlike in the young age group when non-TLI was used. In conclusion, compared to StEs, the ORES during all in vitro fertilization procedures improved ongoing pregnancy rates in the advanced age group using the non-TLI.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Markus Montag, PhD (ilabcomm GmbH), for his help in editing the initial manuscript draft.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kato Ladies Clinic, 7-20-3, Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan

    Satoshi Ueno, Motoki Ito, Kiyoe Shimazaki, Tadashi Okimura, Kazuo Uchiyama, Akiko Yabuuchi & Keiichi Kato

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  1. Satoshi Ueno
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  2. Motoki Ito
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  3. Kiyoe Shimazaki
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  4. Tadashi Okimura
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  5. Kazuo Uchiyama
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  7. Keiichi Kato
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Correspondence to Keiichi Kato.

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The Institutional Review Board of Kato Ladies Clinic approved the study design (approval number: 18-21).

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Ueno, S., Ito, M., Shimazaki, K. et al. Comparison of Embryo and Clinical Outcomes in Different Types of Incubator Between Two Different Embryo Culture Systems. Reprod. Sci. 28, 2301–2309 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00504-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00504-7

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