Laser collapse performance in blastocysts applied before vitrification

Abstract

The objetive of the present study was to investigate the effect of the reduction of blastocele fluid before vitrification with the application of collapsing and the effects of this procedure on the expected results of in vitro fertilization protocols. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted with patients who sought assisted fertilization services from January 2015 to October 2017 at Reproferty Clinic. After submission to the ethics committee, data from 106 patients were divided into two groups: 42 cases represented by those who had artificially collapsed blastocysts per laser pulse before vitrification and 64 controls corresponding to patients where artificial shrinkage of expanded blastocysts was not performed. By statistical analysis, the means and standard deviation of each group were obtained, which were compared by the Mann-Whitney test, at a 95% significance level. Results: the results showed that there was statistical significance comparing the group of cases and controls in the parameters related to embryo freezing, survival and transference as well as to the rates of positive beta human chorionic gonadotropin, clinical pregnancy and live births. Conclusions: the study demonstrated evidence that vitrification after artificial laser collapse of the blastocyst is safe, effective, and more efficient than vitrification of non-collapsed blastocysts in vitro fertilization protocols, however further studies are needed to evaluate the efficiency of artificial shrinkage in routine protocols.