Research question

During the embryo transfer procedure, to what degree of temperature drop are embryos exposed to between loading the transfer catheter and placing it into the uterus?

Design

Twenty-nine simulated embryo transfer procedures were carried out across five clinics. A thermocouple probe was used for standardized measurements inside the embryo transfer catheter to investigate the change in temperature that occurred in the time period between loading and placing the catheter in the uterus.

Results

In all cases, the temperature at the loaded catheter tip fell rapidly to ambient temperature during transit from the embryo transfer workstation in the laboratory to the procedure room, even though embryo transfer procedures, ambient temperatures and embryo transfer catheter temperatures at loading varied between clinics.

Conclusions

Given the sensitivity of the pre-implantation embryo to its immediate environment, the rapid and profound drop in temperature observed at the catheter tip that houses the embryo during transit from laboratory to the uterus may affect embryo viability and health. This issue should be addressed to ensure that the tight temperature control aimed for by IVF laboratories continues throughout the embryo transfer procedure, and could improve clinical outcomes.

中文翻译：

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在胚胎移植过程中胚胎暴露在温度显着下降的环境中：一项初步研究

研究问题

在胚胎移植过程中，胚胎在装载移植导管和将其放入子宫之间的温度下降程度如何？

设计

在五个诊所进行了 29 次模拟胚胎移植程序。热电偶探头用于胚胎移植导管内的标准化测量，以研究在将导管装入子宫和将导管放入子宫之间的时间段内发生的温度变化。

结果

在所有情况下，在从实验室的胚胎移植工作站到手术室的运输过程中，加载的导管尖端的温度迅速下降到环境温度，即使胚胎移植程序、加载时的环境温度和胚胎移植导管温度因诊所而异。

结论

鉴于植入前胚胎对其直接环境的敏感性，在从实验室到子宫的运输过程中，在容纳胚胎的导管尖端观察到的温度迅速而显着下降可能会影响胚胎的活力和健康。应该解决这个问题，以确保 IVF 实验室针对的严格温度控制在整个胚胎移植过程中持续进行，并可以改善临床结果。