Prospective randomized study to compare the effects of embryo culture performed in an incubator class 100 with HEPA VOC filter on outcome measures of ICSI cycles. Preliminary results

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Many laboratories have installed specialized incubator filtration units with the intent of enhancing air quality for embryo culture. The aim of this study is to determine whether an incubator Class 100 with HEPA VOC filter (carbon-activated) enhance the outcome measures in ICSI cycles. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective recruitment of all patients of age ≤ 39 years who underwent fresh ICSI cycles from September 2007 to April 2008. Fifth eight ICSI cycles were included. Embryo culture was performed either in an incubator equiped with HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air) plus carbon-activated for volatile organic compounds-HEPA VOC filter (Group I = 26) or in an identical incubator Class 100 with HEPA filter only without carbon activated (Group II = 32).Ovulation induction, laboratory techniques, embryo culture and transfer protocols were identical in both groups. Main outcome measures were number of good quality embryos transferred (≥8 cells G1/G2) and clinical pregnancy. The Student's t-test and Chi-square were applied for statistical analysis. P<.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Female age, total doses of gonadotrophins, endometrial thickness on the day of hCG administration, n° of oocytes metaphase II retrieved, n° of embryos transferred, n° of good quality embryos transferred, and clinical pregnancy were not statistically different between groups. A total of 20 transfers were performed in Group I and 28 in Group II. There were 6 cycles without transfers in Group I and 4 in Group II due to either oocyte retrieval failure or OHSS risk. Results are shown in the table 1.Table 1Patients and treatment cycles characteristicsCulture in HEPA VOC filter n=20Culture in HEPA filter n=28p valueAge32.65±3.7434.17±3.330.14Total amount of gonadotrophins (IU)1736.25±600.632011.42±789.190.19End. thickness (mm)10.39±2.1910.90±2.230.44Oocytes metaphase II (n)5.35±3.474.50±3.120.38EB transf (n)2.20±0.692.14±0.700.78EB 8C G1/G2 transf1.10±0.711.10±0.780.97Clinical pregnancy (%)55 (11/20)39 (11/28)0.38Values are expressed as mean ± SD. Open table in a new tab Values are expressed as mean ± SD. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary data on this ongoing study has demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups in all parameters analyzed. The complete study will include 120 cycles in each group to provide 80% power in detect a difference in clinical pregnancy between the groups.