Live birth following transportation of cleavage stage human embryos vitrified...

Live birth following transportation of cleavage stage human embryos vitrified in an open system
Alfonso P. Del Valle, M.D., F.R.C.S (C), Wenling Zhang, Ph.D., and Iryna Kuznyetsova, Ph.D., HCLD (ABB)
The Toronto Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE Liquid nitrogen saturated vapor shippers are proven to be effective for the trans‐
portation of human embryos which were cryopreserved using the slow freezing method and vitrified in a closed system 1
(cryo tip) . However to our knowledge, there are no similar reports about the outcome of transferred embryos that were vitrified in an open system. There is concern that embryo vitrified in very small amount volume in an open system is more sensitive to the temperature varia‐
tion in the vapor. Recently, high survival rate (85.7% VS 87.0%) was reported in hu‐
man oocytes vitrified in open system and 2
exposed in dry shipper for 60 hours . In this case report, we describe successful transfer of human embryos that were vit‐
rified in open system following interna‐
tional transportation in a dry vapor ship‐
per. The objective of this case report was to discuss the safety and application of dry shipping vitrified embryos in open sys‐
tem. RESULTS Three 7‐ to 8‐cell embryos were thawed on the day of transfer with blastomere survival rate from 57 to 100%. Transfer was performed and clinical pregnancy was confirmed at 8 weeks by ultrasound de‐
tection of one fetus with heartbeat. A fe‐
MATERIALS AND METHODS male infant was delivered at 27 weeks by emergency cesarean section due to se‐
vere pre‐eclampsia/HELLP syndrome. The Cleavage stage day‐3 embryos vitrified baby is now ten months old and doing 3
with Cryotop by Kuwayama’s technique well. were transported from Mexico City to To‐
ronto via overnight international courier using dry vapor shipper (MVE, SC 4/2v). Prior to shipping the dewar was fully charged with liquid nitrogen and dried as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. The endometrium of a 40 year old patient was prepared with GnRH agonist (Lupron depot) and oral estrogen (Estrace). Pro‐
gesterone in oil and vaginal were used for luteal support. CONCLUSIONS The use of dry vapor shippers to trans‐
port human embryos that were vitrified in an open system between facilities does not negatively impact their developmen‐
tal potential. Therefore, the use of such shippers could be considered an effective and safe method for transportation. Al‐
though our report is encouraging, more data is required to establish the safety and efficacy of this method. REFERENCES 1.Khoury CD, Frederick J, Behr B, Potter D. 2008 Fertil Steril 90: S397 2.Chang CC, Bernal DP, Wright G, Straub RJ et al, 2009 Fertil Steril 92: S183 3.Kuwayama M, Vajta G, Kato O, Leibo SP. 2002 Reprod Biomed Online 11:300‐8