A robust metabolomics approach for the evaluation of human embryos from in vitro fertilization.

The identification of the most competent embryos for transfer to the uterus constitutes the main challenge of in vitro fertilization (IVF). We established a metabolomic-based approach by applying Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy on 130 samples of 3-day embryo culture supernatants from 26 embryos that implanted and 104 embryos that failed. On examining the internal structure of the data by unsupervised multivariate analysis, we found that the supernatant spectra of nonimplanted embryos constituted a highly heterogeneous group. Whereas ∼40% of these supernatants were spectroscopically indistinguishable from those of successfully implanted embryos, ∼60% exhibited diverse, heterogeneous metabolic fingerprints. This observation proved to be the direct result of pregnancy's multifactorial nature, involving both intrinsic embryonic traits and external characteristics. Our data analysis strategy thus involved one-class modelling techniques employing soft independent modelling of class analogy that identified deviant fingerprints as unsuitable for implantation. From these findings, we could develop a noninvasive Fourier-transform-infrared-spectroscopy-based approach that represents a shift in the fundamental paradigm for data modelling applied in assisted-fertilization technologies.

COVID-19 risk assessment and safety management operational guidelines for IVF center reopening.

PURPOSE: To promote nationwide dissemination and implementation of COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Safety Management Operational Guidelines, drawn up by SAMeR Task Force in ART centers in Argentina. Our objective is to prevent and mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at an institutional level, while reducing the risk of infection among both physicians and patients in the context of a critical scenario in the local and Latin American healthcare system. METHODS: SAMeR Executive Committee set up a crisis committee which was made up of specialists in reproductive medicine, embryology, and healthcare management. A critical and updated review of the advances in science, documents, and recommendations released by other societies (ASRM, ESHRE, IFFS, Red LARA, societies of anesthesiologists, infectious diseases, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration-OSHA) was carried out. Likewise, there were joint meetings with the Ministry of Health of Argentina in order to draw up the guidelines. Simultaneously, ongoing medical training was carried out, thus providing added value to them, including two status surveys of the activities of the monovalent and polyvalent centers according to the country's epidemiological mapping. Four additional recommendations were made, and online training was given to healthcare workers. The aforementioned regulations were first analyzed by the healthcare providers and their practical suggestions were then added to the guidelines. RESULTS: The one-off collaborative work and the actions coordinated with the National ART Program of the Ministry of Health of Argentina resulted in the development and implementation of the present COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Safety Management Operational Guidelines at a national level. SAMeR gave recommendations for the implementation of the Management Guidelines for the center reopening, providing new safety criteria against the threat of viral contagion. A new organizational culture was promoted through the awareness of all the healthcare workers and teaching responsibility. We continue working on the compliance with a new "Code of Conduct and Commitment in Healthcare" and with workplace safety measures. We helped with transforming the theoretical knowledge into practical measures for the healthcare workers in different services, with the aim to prevent, mitigate, and/or handle contingencies at the centers/services and gamete banks, in line with the actions agreed upon with the Ministry of Health. CONCLUSIONS: As an extraordinary and uncertain event, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic helped consolidate a volunteer-based and collaborative panel of SAMeR experts who developed the COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Safety Management Operational Guidelines as a new and readily available tool for physicians, patients, and gamete banks care. Their implementation has provided specific guidelines to minimize risk for professionals in ART clinics, as well as guaranteeing patient safety.

Platelet-derived growth factor BB and DD and angiopoietin1 are altered in follicular fluid from polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological pathology among women of reproductive age, and is characterized by abnormalities in ovarian angiogenesis, among other features. Consistent with this association, follicular fluid (FF) concentration and ovarian expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are increased in PCOS patients. In this study, we examined the protein levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB and DD (PDGFBB and PDGFDD), angiopoietin 1 and 2 (ANGPT1 and ANGPT2), and their soluble receptor sTIE2 in FF from PCOS and control patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. We also analyzed the effect of FF from PCOS and control patients on tight and adherens junction protein expression in an endothelial cell line. PDGFBB and PDGFDD were significantly lower whereas ANGPT1 concentration was significantly higher in FF from PCOS patients than from control patients. No changes were found in the concentration of ANGPT2 or sTIE2. Expression of claudin-5 was significantly increased in endothelial cells incubated for 24 hr in the presence of FF from PCOS versus from control patients, while vascular-endothelial cadherin, ß-catenin, and zonula occludens 1 expression were unchanged. The changes observed in the levels of PDGF isoforms and ANGPT1 may prevent VEGF-induced vascular permeability in the PCOS ovary by regulating endothelial-cell-junction protein levels. Restoring the levels of angiogenic factors may provide new insights into PCOS treatment and the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in affected women.

Live birth and normal 1-year follow-up of a baby born after transfer of cryopreserved embryos from rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection of 1-day-old oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To report the birth and normal pediatric follow-up of the first baby born after transfer of embryos derived from cryopreserved rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Academic fertility unit. PATIENT(S): A 36-year-old woman with unexplained infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Reinsemination by ICSI ("rescue" ICSI) followed by cryopreservation at the pronuclear stage was performed after partial fertilization failure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy, birth, and 1-year follow-up of the baby born after the transfer of the cryopreserved rescue ICSI embryos. RESULT(S) AND CONCLUSION(S): Zygotes obtained after rescue ICSI were able to tolerate the process of cryopreservation and resulted in a viable pregnancy and delivery.

Vigencia de la transferencia intratubaria de gametos (G.I.F.T.) en el momento actual / Standing of G.I.F.T. in the present moment

Hemos analizado los resultados obtenidos en 180 ciclos consecutivos de 131 pacientes en las que se realizó una transferencia intratubaria de gametos entre los años 1993-1996 en el Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad (IFER). La edad promedio de las mismas era de 33,8ñ4,1 años, siendo de 28,7ñ5,4 en las menores de 37 años y de 39,2ñ2,1 en las mayores de 37 años. El promedio de años de esterilidad era de 4,1ñ2,8 años, siendo el tiempo de esterilidad de 3,8ñ2,5 en las menores de 37 años y de 4,6ñ3,2 en las de edad mayor o igual a 37 años. Las causas por las que se realizó el procedimiento fueron: 45 ciclos de endometriosis, 40 de esterilidad sin causa aparente, 30 de factor masculino, 24 de factor tubo peritoneal y 26 de síndrome de ovario poliquístico. El porcentaje de embarazos global fue de 35,7 por ciento por ciclo de captación con un 16,9 por ciento de abortos y un porcentaje de nacidos vivos de 29,7 por ciento, con un 23,7 de embarazos múltiples y un 1,6 de embarazos ectópicos. El índice de implantación fue del 12 por ciento. Los resultados obtenidos más los datos aportados por la bibliografía nos permiten sostener que este procedimiento mantiene su vigencia al momento actual, en todas las indicaciones de infertilidad a excepción del factor masculino severo, siendo la edad de las pacientes un factor importante en el logro de embarazos (AU)

Vigencia de la transferencia intratubaria de gametos (G.I.F.T.) en el momento actual / Standing of G.I.F.T. in the present moment

Hemos analizado los resultados obtenidos en 180 ciclos consecutivos de 131 pacientes en las que se realizó una transferencia intratubaria de gametos entre los años 1993-1996 en el Instituto de Ginecología y Fertilidad (IFER). La edad promedio de las mismas era de 33,8ñ4,1 años, siendo de 28,7ñ5,4 en las menores de 37 años y de 39,2ñ2,1 en las mayores de 37 años. El promedio de años de esterilidad era de 4,1ñ2,8 años, siendo el tiempo de esterilidad de 3,8ñ2,5 en las menores de 37 años y de 4,6ñ3,2 en las de edad mayor o igual a 37 años. Las causas por las que se realizó el procedimiento fueron: 45 ciclos de endometriosis, 40 de esterilidad sin causa aparente, 30 de factor masculino, 24 de factor tubo peritoneal y 26 de síndrome de ovario poliquístico. El porcentaje de embarazos global fue de 35,7 por ciento por ciclo de captación con un 16,9 por ciento de abortos y un porcentaje de nacidos vivos de 29,7 por ciento, con un 23,7 de embarazos múltiples y un 1,6 de embarazos ectópicos. El índice de implantación fue del 12 por ciento. Los resultados obtenidos más los datos aportados por la bibliografía nos permiten sostener que este procedimiento mantiene su vigencia al momento actual, en todas las indicaciones de infertilidad a excepción del factor masculino severo, siendo la edad de las pacientes un factor importante en el logro de embarazos