"Universal Warming" Protocol for Vitrified Oocytes to Streamline Cell Exchange for Transnational Donation Programs: a Multi-center Study

Overview

Journal J Assist Reprod Genet

Publisher Springer

Specialties Genetics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2020 May 5

PMID 32363563

Citations 9

Authors

Lodovico Parmegiani

M G Minasi

A Arnone

V Casciani

G E Cognigni

R Vinoles

M T Varricchio

L A Quintero

E Greco

M Filicori

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of a "Universal Warming" protocol, based on subsequent steps with 1 M and 0.5 M concentration of extracellular cryoprotectant (ECCP), on shipped oocytes. Oocytes are vitrified using different brands of ready-to-use kits which recommend that the use of their own warming kit and combining different vitrification/warming kits may have legal consequences for assisted reproductive (AR) centers, until this practice has been validated with clinical studies.

Methods: Retrospective multi-center transnational observational study. Number of oocytes warmed 1.898. Vitrification performed with vitrification kit (Kitazato, Japan); warming carried out randomly with two different kits: Kitazato warming kit and Vit Kit®-Thaw (FujiFilm Irvine, USA). Warmed oocytes were assigned to 2 groups: KK (Kitazato/Kitazato) 939, and KI (Kitazato/Irvine) 959. Primary endpoint: survival rate. Secondary endpoints: fertilization rate; blastulation rate; implantation rate; live birth rate.

Results: Survival was comparable between the groups: 84.6% (795/939) in group KK vs 82.1% (787/959) in group KI. Fertilization rate was lower (P = 0.027) in group KK (75.7%-602/795) than in group KI (80.4%-633/787). Blastulation and implantation and live birth rates were all statistically comparable between the study groups: blastulation rate was 58.5% (352/602) vs 57.8% (366/633); implantation rate was 41.5% (80/193) vs 45.9% (84/183); live birth rate was 52.5% (62/118) in KK and 45.0% (54/120) in KI.

Conclusion: The use of this "Universal Warming" protocol simplifies vitrified oocyte exchange between AR centers in different countries, and overcomes potential regulatory/commercial/availability differences affecting clinical practice.

Citing Articles

Live birth outcomes following single-step blastocyst warming technique - optimizing efficiency without impacting live birth rates.

Jiang V, Cherouveim P, N Naert M, Dimitriadis I, Souter I, Bormann C J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024; 41(5):1193-1202.

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Optimizing the Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation in the 'Oncofertility' Institutional Program at an Italian National Cancer Institute.

Silvestris E, Minoia C, De Palma G, Popescu O, Altavilla A, Guarini A Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(20).

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The international transportation of frozen embryos does not affect IVF outcomes.

Pellegrini L, de Angelis F, Tartaglia S, Toschi M, Galliano D, Pellicer A Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023; 308(3):989-995.

PMID: 37318611 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07092-8.

Comparative Assessment of Survival and Clinical Outcome Between Two Commercial Vitrification Kits with Different Warming Protocols After Blastocyst Culture: Potential Perspectives Toward Simplified Warming Procedures.

Gunst J, Vynck M, Hostens K, Standaert V, Roggeman S, van de Vijver A Reprod Sci. 2023; 30(11):3212-3221.

PMID: 37311945 PMC: 10643310. DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01281-1.

An all-37 °C thawing method improves the clinical outcomes of vitrified frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective study using a case-control matching analysis.

Yan G, Yao Y, Yang W, Lu L, Wang L, Zhao D Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023; 307(6):1991-1999.

PMID: 37041370 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07029-1.

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