Array comparative genomic hybridization screening in IVF significantly reduces number of embryos available for cryopreservation / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: During IVF, non-transferred embryos are usually selected for cryopreservation on the basis of morphological criteria. This investigation evaluated an application for array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in assessment of surplus embryos prior to cryopreservation. METHODS: First-time IVF patients undergoing elective single embryo transfer and having at least one extra non-transferred embryo suitable for cryopreservation were offered enrollment in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: Patients in group A (n=55) had embryos assessed first by morphology and then by aCGH, performed on cells obtained from trophectoderm biopsy on post-fertilization day 5. Only euploid embryos were designated for cryopreservation. Patients in group B (n=48) had embryos assessed by morphology alone, with only good morphology embryos considered suitable for cryopreservation. RESULTS: Among biopsied embryos in group A (n=425), euploidy was confirmed in 226 (53.1%). After fresh single embryo transfer, 64 (28.3%) surplus euploid embryos were cryopreserved for 51 patients (92.7%). In group B, 389 good morphology blastocysts were identified and a single top quality blastocyst was selected for fresh transfer. All group B patients (48/48) had at least one blastocyst remaining for cryopreservation. A total of 157 (40.4%) blastocysts were frozen in this group, a significantly larger proportion than was cryopreserved in group A (p=0.017, by chi-squared analysis). CONCLUSION: While aCGH and subsequent frozen embryo transfer are currently used to screen embryos, this is the first investigation to quantify the impact of aCGH specifically on embryo cryopreservation. Incorporation of aCGH screening significantly reduced the total number of cryopreserved blastocysts compared to when suitability for freezing was determined by morphology only. IVF patients should be counseled that the benefits of aCGH screening will likely come at the cost of sharply limiting the number of surplus embryos available for cryopreservation.

Study of some effects of recombinant human erythropoietin [r-HuEpo] administration on anemic hemodialysis [HD] patients

The cardinal effect of erythropoitin is the induction of division and differentiation of marrow stem cells into recognisable erythroblast precursors. Iron deficiency anaemia is common among HD patients due to frequent blood loss and or poor absorption if not counteracted by the removal of haem synthesis inhibitors. Recombinant erythropoitin [r-HuEpo] administration was tried in six HD patients for one year. The effect of treatment on clinical condition was perfect although non significant improvement of Hb, Ht, reticulocyte and platelet count was found. Also elevation of serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin was quite little. Should all HD patients with iron deficiency anaemia receive r-HuEpo. The decision will not only depend on the cost, but will be influenced by the effect of treatment on improvement of the clinical and laboratory findings