Stabilizing temperature inside the tubing set of the OPU needle improves the outcome: a prospective randomized study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Oocyte pick-up techniques are important determinants of in vitro success rates. To sustain a stable temperature, an isotherm coil instrument wrapping over the teflon tubing of OPU needles can be used. We aimed to determine whether heat maintenance using an isotherm coil instrument during the OPU procedure in patients undergoing ICSI has any effect on in vitro outcomes and pregnancy rates.DESIGN: Prospective and randomized study.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 302 women were taken into the study after randomization. 150 women (group 1) underwent oocyte pick-up procedure with the isotherm coil system and 152 women (group 2) without. Pregnancy rates and implantation rates were compared between the two groups. A subgroup analysis was also performed on 112 poor responder patients from whom 5 or less M2 oocytes were obtained at OPU; 55 (group 1A) underwent oocyte pick-up procedure with the isotherm coil system and 57 (group 2A) without.Table 1Group 1 (n.150)Group 2 (n:152)pGroup 1A (n:55)Group 2A (n:57)pAge31.1±0.431.4±0.40.58133.2±0.634.3±0.70.237Antral follicle #19.3±1.021.6±1.10.13514.9±1.413.4±1.00.428Days of stimulation8.7±0.18.4±0.10.1588.1±0.28.0±0.20.871FSH dosage4326.5±158.24159.2±114.40.3914356.8±202.34401.3±174.30.868Total MII oocyte#8.5±0.49.6±0.50.1693.0±0.13.1±0.20.762Embryos transferred3.1±0.13.0±0.20.6562.7±0.12.8±0.10.481Early cleavage/MII oocyte22.022.80.64812.515.70.493Grade-1 embryo/MII oocyte42.738.70.03750.941.00.083Pregnancy rate % (positive HCG)60.962.10.92154.540.00.189Clinical pregnancy rate % (positive fetal cardiac activity)51.349.30.81552.729.80.023Implantation rate %25.121.60.20131.314.3<0.001 Open table in a new tab CONCLUSIONS: One unevaluated aspect of oocyte pick-up procedure is the impact of temperature difference through the needle and its connected tubes. A new instrument, isotherm coil system, could sustain more stable temperature across the connecting tubes. This may translate itself to a better embryo production and better clinical pregnancy rates. OBJECTIVE: Oocyte pick-up techniques are important determinants of in vitro success rates. To sustain a stable temperature, an isotherm coil instrument wrapping over the teflon tubing of OPU needles can be used. We aimed to determine whether heat maintenance using an isotherm coil instrument during the OPU procedure in patients undergoing ICSI has any effect on in vitro outcomes and pregnancy rates. DESIGN: Prospective and randomized study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 302 women were taken into the study after randomization. 150 women (group 1) underwent oocyte pick-up procedure with the isotherm coil system and 152 women (group 2) without. Pregnancy rates and implantation rates were compared between the two groups. A subgroup analysis was also performed on 112 poor responder patients from whom 5 or less M2 oocytes were obtained at OPU; 55 (group 1A) underwent oocyte pick-up procedure with the isotherm coil system and 57 (group 2A) without. CONCLUSIONS: One unevaluated aspect of oocyte pick-up procedure is the impact of temperature difference through the needle and its connected tubes. A new instrument, isotherm coil system, could sustain more stable temperature across the connecting tubes. This may translate itself to a better embryo production and better clinical pregnancy rates.