Skip to main content
Log in

On developing a thesis for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship: a case study of ultra-low (2%) oxygen tension for extended culture of human embryos

  • Fellow's Forum
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fellows in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility training are expected to complete 18 months of clinical, basic, or epidemiological research. The goal of this research is not only to provide the basis for the thesis section of the oral board exam but also to spark interest in reproductive medicine research and to provide the next generation of physician-scientists with a foundational experience in research design and implementation. Incoming fellows often have varying degrees of training in research methodology and, likewise, different career goals. Ideally, selection of a thesis topic and mentor should be geared toward defining an “answerable” question and building a practical skill set for future investigation. This contribution to the JARG Young Investigator’s Forum revisits the steps of the scientific method through the lens of one recently graduated fellow and his project aimed to test the hypothesis that “sequential oxygen exposure (5% from days 1 to 3, then 2% from days 3 to 5) improves blastocyst yield and quality compared to continuous exposure to 5% oxygen among human preimplantation embryos.”

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Toomer GJ. Review: Ibn al-Haythams Weg zur Physik. Isis. 1964;55(4):463–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kaser DJ, Bogale B, Sarda V, Farland LV, Racowsky C. Randomized controlled trial of low (5%) vs. ultra-low (2%) oxygen tension for in vitro development of human embryos. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(3):e4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Davis OC, Nakamura J. A proposed model for an optimal mentoring environment for medical residents. Acad Med. 2010;85(6):1060–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Yedwab GA. The temperature, pH and partial pressure of oxygen in the cervix and uterus of women and uterus of rats during the cycle. Fertil Steril. 1976;27(3):304–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ottosen LDM, Hindkjaer J, Husth M, Petersen DE, Kirk J, Ingerslev HJ. Observations on intrauterine oxygen tension measured by fibre-optic microsensors. Reprod Biomed Online. 2006;13(3):380–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Fischer B, Bavister BD. Oxygen tension in the oviduct and uterus of rhesus monkeys, hamsters and rabbits. J Reprod Fertil. 1993;99(2):673–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rodesch F, Simon P, Donner C, Jauniaux E. Oxygen measurements in endometrial and trophoblastic tissues during early pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1992;80(2):283–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Burton GJ, Jauniaux E, Watson A. Maternal arterial connections to the placental intervillous space during the first trimester of human pregnancy: the Boyd Collection revisited. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999;181(3):718–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Croxatto HB, Ortiz ME, Diaz S, Hess R, Balmaceda J, Croxatto HD. Studies on the duration of egg transport by the human oviduct. II. Ovum location at various intervals following luteinizing hormone peak. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1978;132:629–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Avendano S, Croxatto HD, Pereda J, Croxatto HB. A seven-cell human egg recovered from the oviduct. Fertil Steril. 1975;26(12):1167–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hertig AT, Rock J, Adams EC, Mulligan WJ. On the preimplantation stages of the human ovum: a description of four normal and four abnormal specimens ranging from the second to the fifth day of development. Contrib Embryol. 1954;35:199–221.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Diaz S, Ortiz ME, Croxatto HB. Studies on the duration of ovum transport by the human oviduct. III. Time interval between the lutinizing hormone peak and recovery of ova by transcervical flushing of the uterus in normal women. Am J Obstet Gyncol. 1980;137(1):116–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mastroianni Jr L, Jones R. oxygen tension within the rabbit fallopian tube. J Reprod Fertil. 1965;9:99–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Nastri CO, Nobrega BN, Teixeira DM, Amorim J, Diniz LM, Barbosa MW, et al. Low versus atmospheric oxygen tension for embryo culture in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-anlaysis. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(1):95–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Annas GJ. Resurrection of a stem-cell funding barrier: Dickey-Wicker in court. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(18):1687–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ledford H. Keeping the lights on. Nature. 2014;515:326–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel J. Kaser.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kaser, D.J. On developing a thesis for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellowship: a case study of ultra-low (2%) oxygen tension for extended culture of human embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 303–308 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-0887-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-0887-5

Keywords

Navigation