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Incubator Temperature for Culturing Human Embryos

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Embryo Culture
Interventions
Other: Incubator Temp set to 36.5 degree
Other: Incubator Temp 37 degree
Registration Number
NCT01706900
Lead Sponsor
Ibn Sina Hospital
Brief Summary

Incubator temperature is one of the most precious variables in IVF labs. When the IVF started, almost all incubator temperatures were set at 37 degrees which mimic in vivo conditions. Some authors speculated that gametes and early embryos might need low temperatures that provide quieter metabolism. We decide to compare Embryo culture at 37 degree or slightly lower 36.5 degree and extensively investigate to find which is better to crucially introduce a solid evidence through this RCT.

Detailed Description

Since the first IVF birth in 1978, the field of assisted reproductive technology has evolved dramatically. The evolution includes both the ovarian stimulation protocols and the laboratory techniques. Optimization of the laboratory procedures is of great interest to the scientists in the field of IVF.

Incubator temperature is one of the most precious variables in IVF labs. When the IVF started, almost all incubator temperatures were set at 37 degrees which mimic in vivo conditions.

Some authors speculated that gametes and early embryos might need low temperatures that provide quieter metabolism. another group found increase in pregnancy rate for embryos cultured below 37 degree compared to those cultured at 37 degree. Nevertheless; the majority of embryologists still consider culture at 37 degrees is the back bone for the incubators.

The paucity of well designed studies makes it difficult to achieve a satisfactory answer whether lower temperature will improve the pregnancy rate. This encourage us to study the effect of lower temperature (36.5 degrees) on the pregnancy rate compared to conventional temperature (37 degrees).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women aged ≤ 33 years
  • BMI ≤ 33
  • Normal responder ( ≥ 8 MII )
  • Fresh cycle
  • First attempt (or with previous successful attempt)
  • Normal or mild oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
Exclusion Criteria
  • Testicular sperm
  • < 8 MIII collected
  • Difficult transfer cycle
  • endometriotic patients
  • Poor Endometrium < 8mm diameter at OPU

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Incubator Temp set to 36.5 degreeIncubator Temp set to 36.5 degreeWe will set incubator Temp to 36.5 so we can assess the outcome and compare the results with the placebo group.
Incubator Temp 37 degreeIncubator Temp 37 degreeWe will set incubator Temp to 37 degree as the routine embryo culture Temp since 1978 as the placebo arm.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Fetal heart beat rate3 months

Compare the fetal heart beat rate between the 2 study arms in the first 3 months following Embryo Transfer.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
blastocyst formation rateone week

Measure the blastocyst formation rate between the 2 study arms in the following week after ICSI

Top quality embryos Day3one week

Measure the top quality embryos day3 between the 2 study arms in the following week after ICSI

Top quality blastocystone week

Measure the top quality blastocyst rate between the 2 study arms in the following week after ICSI

Implantation rateone month

Measure the implantation rate between the 2 study arms in the following first month after Embryo Transfer

Pregnancy rateone month

Measure the pregnancy rate between the 2 study arms in the following one month after Embryo Transfer

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

IbnSina IVF Center, IbnSina Hospital

🇪🇬

Sohag, Egypt

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