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First births using a closed, simplified IVF culture system in a mobile IVF laboratory: a proof-of-concept study
Gerhardus Marthinus Boshoff1, Carin Huyser2, Willem Ombelet3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Research Question:
Can pregnancy be achieved using a simplified embryo culture system within a mobile IVF laboratory?
Design:
Case series design, describing the results of a pilot study investigating the use of a simplified, closed, low-cost embryo culture system in a prototype mobile IVF laboratory. A mild ovarian stimulation protocol was used in all cycles. Follicular aspiration was performed in a clinical setting, while oocyte fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfers were carried out in a mobile unit using the Walking Egg simplified embryo culture system.
Results:
From 12 cycles initiated, no oocytes were obtained in one cycle, fertilization failed in another cycle due to a low number of oocytes which were predominantly immature, and 10 cycles continued to embryo culture. Of these 10 cycles, a single embryo transfer was performed in five cycles, and two embryos were transferred in the remaining five cycles. Five of the 10 women became pregnant; of these, one miscarried and four had a live birth.
Conclusion:
Proof of concept, even with a limited sample size, for the use of mild stimulation and low-cost embryo culture in a mobile laboratory is presented. These promising results support the use of a mobile IVF laboratory in areas where access to ART is costly and limited due to few IVF centres which are mainly located in cosmopolitan centres.
