Cryopreservation and IVF in the Time of Covid-19: What is the Best Good Tissue Practice (GTP)?

Overview

Journal J Assist Reprod Genet

Publisher Springer

Specialties Genetics
Reproductive Medicine

Date 2020 Aug 5

PMID 32748306

Citations 11

Authors

Kimball O Pomeroy

Mitchel C Schiewe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Examine good tissue practices as relates to in vitro fertilization, biopsying, and vitrificationto compare current knowledge of ova, sperm, and embryos as vectors for disease transmission as it relates to our current knowledge regarding the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Unknown risks relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and sperm, ova, and embryos necessitate a reexamining of how human IVF is performed. Over the last decade, improvements in cryosurvival and live birth outcomes have been associated with zona pellucida breaching procedures (e.g., blastocyst collapsing and biopsying). In turn, today embryos are generally no longer protected by an intact zona pellucida when vitrified and in cryostorage. Additionally, high security storage containers have proven to be resilient to potential cross-contamination and reliable for routine human sperm freezing and embryo vitrification.Several options to current IVF practices are presented that can effectively mitigate the risks of cross-contamination and infection due to the current Covid-19 pandemic or other viral exposures. The question remains; is heightened security and change warranted where the risks of disease transmission likely remain negligible?

Citing Articles

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Impact of COVID-19 on fertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART): a systematic review.

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Reply: Risk of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in ART.

Demeestere I, Van den Abbeel E, Delbaere A Hum Reprod. 2022; 37(5):1096.

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Risk of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in ART.

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