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Volatile organic compounds and good laboratory practices in the in vitro fertilization laboratory: the important parameters for successful outcome in extended culture

  • Embryo Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to describe the role of implementing good laboratory practices to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes which are of great interest for practitioners dealing with infertility.

Methods

Certain modifications were introduced in May 2015 in our IVF laboratory like high-efficiency particulate air CODA system, steel furniture instead of wooden, use of new disinfectants like oosafe, and restriction of personnel entry along with avoidance of cosmetics like perfume to improve pregnancy rates. Volatile organic compound (VOC) meter reading was monitored at two time points and five different places in the laboratory to compare the embryonic development parameters before (group A: July 2014–April 2015) and after (group B: July 2015–April 2016) remodeling.

Results

The IVF outcomes from 1036 cycles were associated in this study. Reduction in VOC meter readings, enhanced air quality, improvement in blastocyst formation rate, implantation, and clinical pregnancy rate were observed in the laboratory after implementation of new facilities. Results illustrated that the attention must be focused on potential hazards which expose laboratories to elevated VOC levels. Blastocyst formation rate increased around 18%. Implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate increased by around 11, 10, and 8%, respectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with proper engineering and material selection, we have been able to reduce chemical contamination and adverse effects on culture with optimized IVF results.

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Acknowledgements

We thank our computer section for their cooperation in compiling data for the paper.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Nupur Agarwal and Ratna Chattopadhyay both have equal contribution

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Assisted Reproduction, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, HB-36/A/3, Salt Lake City, Sector-III, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700106, India

    Nupur Agarwal, Ratna Chattopadhyay, Sanghamitra Ghosh, Arpita Bhoumik, S. K. Goswami & Baidyanath Chakravarty

Authors
  1. Nupur Agarwal
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  2. Ratna Chattopadhyay
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  3. Sanghamitra Ghosh
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  4. Arpita Bhoumik
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  5. S. K. Goswami
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  6. Baidyanath Chakravarty
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Baidyanath Chakravarty.

Ethics declarations

Experiments encompassing this study were performed in accordance with the Institutional Human Ethical Committee of Institute of Reproductive Medicine (IRM), HB-36/A/3, Salt Lake City, Sector III, Kolkata 700 106 for conducting the clinical study. The ethics committee operates according to the requirements of Good Clinical practice (GCP), Schedule Y, and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The protocol number for the clearance is IVFM-11- 02 dated 01 Feb 2012.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Agarwal, N., Chattopadhyay, R., Ghosh, S. et al. Volatile organic compounds and good laboratory practices in the in vitro fertilization laboratory: the important parameters for successful outcome in extended culture. J Assist Reprod Genet 34, 999–1006 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-0947-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-0947-x

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