Assisted Reproduction · Safety and Risks

Reprotoxicity of intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer disposables and products: a 4-year survey

Nijs M, Franssen K, Cox A, Wissmann D, Ruis H, Ombelet W

Published August 2009 Fertility and Sterility
DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.011 PMID 18937937

Abstract

Objective

To test consumables and other products used during oocyte collection, sperm preparation, IUI, embryo culture, and IVF-embryo transfer for their possible reprotoxic properties.

Design

A prospective 4-year survey of reprotoxicity testing of consumables and other products used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Setting

Private infertility center in a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Interventions

Thirty-six products of 72 different brands, including plastics, syringes, tubing, and surgical gloves were analyzed for their reprotoxicity in 350 human sperm survival tests (SpST).

Main Outcome Measures

The SpST index: percentage progressive motility of test sample/percentage progressive motility of control sample after 24 and 96 hours.

Results

Thirteen of 36 products were found to be reprotoxic: an SpST index <0.85 was noted 24 and 96 hours after exposure. These products included eight brands of unpowdered surgical gloves, two types of hysterometers and one type of tubing attached to the oocyte collection needle, one type of ovum pickup procedure needle, and one type of embryo transfer catheter. One type of condom used for ultrasound, one type of sterile Pasteur pipette and petri dish, as well as the cover of a specimen container, were reprotoxic.

Conclusions

The SpST is an inexpensive, easy, and reliable method to identify potential reprotoxic products and consumables used in ART procedures. These data underline the importance of the inclusion of the SpST in a continuous quality control (QC) program of ART outcome.

Topics

By this author

Related research

Assisted Reproduction › Safety and Risks › Procedural Safety · Lifestyle and Environment › Environmental Exposures › Plastics and Microplastics · Research Methods › Preclinical Research › Laboratory Methods
PMID 18937937 18937937 DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.011 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.011 Nijs et al. 2009, Nijs 2009

Cite this article

Nijs, M., Franssen, K., Cox, A., Wissmann, D., Ruis, H., & Ombelet, W. (2009). Reprotoxicity of intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer disposables and products: a 4-year survey. Fertility and Sterility. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.011