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In vitro and in vivo viability of human blastocysts collapsed by laser pulse or osmotic shock prior to vitrification

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Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate whether artificial shrinkage, induced by a laser pulse or hyperosmotic sucrose solutions, improves in vitro survival and/or implantation of vitrified-warmed human expanded blastocysts.

Methods

Before Cryotop vitrification, the blastocoelic cavity was collapsed either by a laser pulse or sucrose solutions. Non-treated blastocysts were used as control. Post-warm blastocyst survival and implantation after transfer were examined. Implantation rate outcome was retrospectively analyzed by morphological grading and developmental kinetics of post-warm blastocysts.

Results

Survival rates in the three groups were high. Implantation rates in the laser-pulse group (59.7%) were comparable with those in the sucrose group (49.3%), and were significantly higher than those in the control group (34.2%). The proportion of blastocysts showing fast development tended to be higher when the blastocysts underwent artificial shrinkage treatment before vitrification. There was no clear correlation between morphology of post-warm blastocysts and implantation rate.

Conclusion

Artificial shrinkage treatment before vitrification is associated with an increased probability of fast-developing embryos, resulting in higher implantation rates.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Ms Mako Korekane and Mr Takao Hara (Yamashita Ladies’ Clinic, Hyogo, Japan) for their technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yamashita Ladies’ Clinic, Kobe, Hyogo, 651-0086, Japan

    Hiroshi Iwayama & Masanori Yamashita

  2. Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, 386-8567, Japan

    Shinichi Hochi

Authors
  1. Hiroshi Iwayama
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  2. Shinichi Hochi
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  3. Masanori Yamashita
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroshi Iwayama.

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Capsule

Artificial shrinkage of human blastocysts prior to Cryotop vitrification is associated with an increased probability of fast-developing embryos, resulting in the higher clinical pregnancy rates.

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Iwayama, H., Hochi, S. & Yamashita, M. In vitro and in vivo viability of human blastocysts collapsed by laser pulse or osmotic shock prior to vitrification. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 355–361 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9522-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9522-4

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