| Title: |
P–185 Overcoming a sudden COVID–19 lockdown and other similar unforeseen adverse events: Oocyte-sperm cryopreservation 4 hours after conventional in vitro insemination |
| Authors: |
Bisioli, C; Otegui, M; Migliora, F; Crowley, R |
| Source: |
Human Reproduction ; volume 36, issue Supplement_1 ; ISSN 0268-1161 1460-2350 |
| Publisher Information: |
Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| Publication Year: |
2021 |
| Description: |
Study question Can human oocytes be cyropreserved when they were previously inseminated while obtaining normal fertilization, embryo development and pregnancies? Summary answer Cryopreservation of recently inseminated human oocytes produces normal 2PN zygotes, viable embryos and ongoing pregnancies. What is known already Oocyte vitrification is a well-established technique in the infertility field supported by its effectiveness to freeze and thaw embryos at various stages of development. However, it is yet unknown whether cryopreservation performed in a period between conventional in vitro insemination and the appearance of pronuclei, affects any of the steps leading to fertilization, thereby arresting this process. Study design, size, duration Case report that includes 5 IVF cycles where cryopreservation and thawing were performed in a pre-zygote stage, 4 hours after the conventional insemination of oocytes. The rationale for this procedure was to comply with a government restriction to circulate and work in order to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV–2 virus, unexpectedly 3 days ahead (effective on 03/19/2020). Participants/materials, setting, methods: Off-site embryologists cancelled all pending embryo transfers and returned home (2,000 km away) before the stay-home quarantine. Five couples were informed and consent was obtained on the urgent need to cryopreserve their already inseminated oocytes despite of the limited scientific information. We vitrified 28 oocyte-sperm pairs in vitrification devices containing 2 to 3 inseminated oocytes each. Main results and the role of chance Eight months later all non-essential activities, including non-urgent procedures in hospital facilities, were permitted again, allowing embryologists to travel and resume their postponed work. We thawed 19 of the so-called “pre-zygotes” corresponding to 4 of the 5 initial couples. Female ages were 29, 39, 38 and 37 years old. Our primary outcomes were detection of pronuclei and the occurrence of fertilization. The secondary ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1093/humrep/deab130.184 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deab130.184; http://academic.oup.com/humrep/article-pdf/36/Supplement_1/deab130.184/39735678/deab130.184.pdf |
| Rights: |
https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.B1758B0E |
| Database: |
BASE |