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Reactive oxygen species and protein modifications in spermatozoa
Sperm proteins are sensitive to high levels of ROS and suffer modifications that impact on motility, capacitation, and the ability of the spermatozoon to recognize and bind to the zona pellucida and damage of sperm DNA. Thiol oxidation, tyrosine nitration, and S-glutathionylation are highlighted in this review as significant redox-dependent protein modifications associated with impairment of sperm function and alteration of paternal genome leadin
Deep learning enables robust assessment and selection of human blastocysts after in vitro fertilization
Our analysis shows that the chance of pregnancy based on individual embryos varies from 13.8% (age :≥:41 and poor-quality) to 66.3% (age :<37 and good-quality) depending on automated blastocyst quality assessment and patient age. In conclusion, our AI-driven approach provides a reproducible way to assess embryo quality and uncovers new, potentially personalized strategies to select embryos.
Clinical application of embryo aneuploidy testing by next-generation sequencing
In conclusion, NGS has become the most appropriate technology for aneuploidy testing in trophectoderm biopsies, with accurate results, high throughput, and cost efficiency. This technology can be also applied to the analysis of the embryonic cell free DNA released to the culture media at blastocyst stage. This is a promising approach towards a non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing of aneuploidy.
A prospective study of non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (NiPGT-A) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on spent culture
Conclusions: Cell-free DNA found in SCM could provide ploidy information of an embryo as in PGT-A from its TE. Given its potential to reflect the comprehensive chromosomal profile of the whole embryo, more research based on clinical outcomes is required to determine if SCM could be a reliable selection tool in PGT-A.
Deep learning as a predictive tool for fetal heart pregnancy following time-lapse incubation and blastocyst transfer
The high predictive value for embryo implantation obtained by the deep learning model may improve the effectiveness of previous approaches used for time-lapse imaging in embryo selection. This may improve the prioritization of the most viable embryo for a single embryo transfer. The deep learning model may also prove to be useful in providing the optimal order for subsequent transfers of cryopreserved embryos.
RNA-seq as a tool for evaluating human embryo competence
Specifically, we show the capacity of RNA-seq as a promising tool in preimplantation screening by showing that biopsies of an embryo can capture valuable information available in the whole embryo from which they are derived. Furthermore, we show that this technique can be used to generate a RNA-based digital karyotype and to identify candidate competence-associated genes. Together, these data establish the foundation for a future RNA-based diagn
Embryo culture at a reduced oxygen concentration of 5%: a mini review
Collectively, this improves embryo implantation potential. However, clinical studies have yielded contradictory results. In almost all reports, some level of improvement has been identified in embryo development or implantation, without any observed drawbacks. This review article will examine the recent literature and discusses ongoing efforts to understand the benefits that low oxygen tension can bring to mammal embryo development in vitro.
The effect of anesthetic agents for oocyte pick-up on in vitro fertilization outcome: A retrospective study in a tertiary center
Conclusion: Ketamine use during OPU can affect FR compared to propofol and P + K. Long durations of anesthesia also seem to decrease implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.
Fertility expert criticises 'explosion in bad media' about IVF in speech to industry
Fertility researchers have come under fire by a gynaecologist at a conference in Hobart this week for making negative comments about the IVF industry in the press. Senior member of the Fertility Society of Australia David Molloy criticised fellow members by name as well as state regulator the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA) at the opening of the society's conference on Monday.
More than half of fertility and period-tracker apps ineffective at predicting ovulation, study finds
An Australian study of the most downloaded fertility apps has found over half didn't perform well at predicting ovulation — which is exactly what many users are using these apps for. The findings, by researchers at Eve Health Fertility in Brisbane in conjunction with Queensland Fertility Group, were presented at a Fertility Society of Australia conference this week in Hobart.
Can Deep Learning AI replace embryologists performing embryo selection?
Summary
It is too early to tell but maybe!
Comment
DRAFT COMMENT|In this report from an Australian clinic, time lapse videos from thousands of embryos drawn a number of clinics were processed by a form of AI called deep learning (DL) to predict which embryos were more likely to implant and progress to a fetal heart stage of pregnancy. The open access report in Human Reproduction detailed an AUC of 93%.|Embryos were from both fresh and donor oocytes, were transferred as either fresh or frozen embryos and came from all patient demographics. They were all cultured in an Embryoscope. None of the above details were know to the DL system, it just related what it could process from the video image and the clinical fate of the embryo. This is its strengths and its weakness.|There is very little information (actually no information) on how the DL programme generated an implantation value of between 0 and 1 but it used the whole video image over the life of the culture as the raw material and nothing else. In a talk by one of the authors at FSA, an example of how the system works was illustrated by a diagram detailing the DL algorithm continuing to alter it prognosis with every progression of the video. In that talk, the running score created by the DL algorithm rose and fell several times as key features (what ever they were) meet its criteria. |It is almost impossible to comment on this paper because there is nothing to it but its claim to predict with remarkable accuracy the potential of all embryos in a cohort to viably implant. The study split the embryos into 5 cohorts, 4 were used to develop the DL algorithm and the 5th cohort used to test the algorithm. Only future randomised clinical trials will determine if the DL approach will result in a superior embryo selection. Like previous algorithms published, it may be applicable to a specific clinics culture environment but fail to apply successfully elsewhere or the criteria used by the DL process may be robust to identify the embryo with the highest potential regardless of the clinical environment. |The previous algorithms essentially used set time points as markers of embryo competency. Embryos that moved through these time points faster or slower were marked down in the score and the best embryos were those that cleaved at the predetermined time and were marked up in the score. Some time points may have less impacted on implantation rates than thought and in different clinics, the times may be different. Since no one knows what features the DL programme gleamed to be relevant, this process is different from previous algorithms and so cannot be judged by them. At least the previous algorithms could be understood. The black box scenario of the DL algorithm is seems to be placing ones faith in a higher being and may be difficult to be accepted by many.|Since the study used the Embryoscope as the tool for video colelction, it will no doubt appear as a future option in their embryo selection portfolio. If it is used as a recommendation only and the embryologists is making the embryo selection call for transfer, cryopreseration or discard, then the DL algorithm may be a powerful adjunct to current clinical practice. Clinics may need to add a KPI tool to indicate when the scientist agreed or disagreed with DL recommendation and monitor if an observed ratio changed. For instance, if the DL selection agreed with the scientist selection 85% of the time, then when the ratio fell, a review may be warranted. What may happen though is that the scientist selection may increasingly align with the DL option. |If a number of clinical trials show an increase in pregnancy rate, then this could mean a number of things. Firstly, this could suggest there are a number of features evident in the videos that may be a clue to the embryo viability not currently known or used by embryologists in their ranking but these cannot be identified. Secondly, it could suggest that not all embryologists make the same ranking and the DL processes merely adds a degree of uniformity to the process. If this is the cases then using the DL tool will generate different productivity gains between clinics depending on the experience of their scientists. Thirdly, if the DL generally uses new features then the productivity gains may be universally between clinics. |Either way the time-to-pregnancy will be reduced and the clients will be rewarded by the technology. It may allow clinics to move to eSET with greater assurance. If it improves the outcomes for older couples the rewards will be even greater.|One concern may be that the role of the embryologist may be diminished with a risk that their skills will be unfairly denigrated. After all, several scientists may judge an embryo and the final decision on an embryos fate is made without any real capacity to link the quality to a fetal heart outcome many weeks later. Time-lapse imagery has to some extent improved the ability of an embryologist to gauge each embryos developmental history prior to decision time. In reality, most skilled embryologists select a good embryo most of the time so unless DL is using unique features, the gains may be modest. Still any gain, even one that improves uniformity, is a valuable improvement in clinical practice. |If however, a clinic rule is to always select the DL embryo then that may be either good or bad. No doubt there will be a number of studies examining the value of DI processing. One concern may be that any change in the IVF process including stimulation, culture or other factors may alter how an embryo develops in vitro and how the DL algorithm responds will be interesting.| This and similar articles using DL logic in the process of embryo selection suggest the 40 years for embryo identification may be in for a major upheaval. |
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Vit Kit - Warm NX is an adaptable, cost-effective system for use in the thawing of oocytes, pronuclear zygotes, cleavage stage embryos, and blastocyst stage embryos. Unlike many vitrification kits that feature a mono-buffered system and M199 base med
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S-Cryolock is the slimmer version of the original. It is a versatile, simple and efficient vitrification device that is intended for the holding, cryopreservation and storage of oocytes or embryos in liquid nitrogen.
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