P-240: Evaluation of two incubation environment Class 100 versus Class 100 000 on intracytoplasmic spem injection (ICSI) cycles outcome

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The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of two different incubation environments: Class 100 x Class 100 000 on embryo quality and pregnancy rate. Retrospective observational study. One hundred twenty-three consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were studied from January 2004 to November 2005. Cycles were divided in two groups: in group I (60 cycles), the embryo culture was performed in an incubator without Hepa filter air flow system and as a consequence the incubator air was similar to the ambient air classified as Class 100 000. In group II (63 cycles), the embryo culture was performed in a incubator with Hepa filtered air flow system which continuously filtered the entire chamber volume every 60 seconds and a class 100 air quality was achieved, within 5 minutes of the door closing. Ovulation induction, laboratory techniques, embryo culture and transfer protocols were identical in both groups. Embryologists and physicians performing procedure in both periods were unaltered. Main outcome measures were: normal fertilization and cleavage rates, number of good quality embryos (8 cells or more/ grade 1 or 2) available for transfer, number of good quality embryos transferred (grades 1 or 2) and clinical pregnancy. Female age, duration of stimulation, total doses of gonadotrophins, endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration, number of oocytes metaphase II retrieved per cycle, number of good quality embryos available for transfer, number of good quality embryos transferred, fertilization rate, cleavage rate and clinical pregnancy were not statistically different between groups.Main results are shown in the table 1. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. The t-test was used to compare variables.Tabled 1 Our study demonstrated that incubation environment Class 100 000 is as good when compared with incubation environment as Class 100 in relation to the parameters analysed. Although some papers concluded that fertilization and cleavage rates, quality of embryos transferred and clinical pregnancies are improved in an environment with high-quality air, we have acknowledged that there is a need for appropriately designed prospective randomized studies to demonstrate the real impact of the high-quality air (Class 100) on human in vitro fertilization outcome.