Tubes
The Vitrolife Labware tubes are specifically designed and certified for IVF, enabling a safe environment for your IVF procedures.
Application
Ready to use.
Storage
Store in +2 to +30°C
Challenges with plastic disposables
Optimisation of the embryo culture system
The ability to culture viable embryos involves more than using appropriate culture media. There are many variables that can have an impact on the outcome of an IVF cycle, all of which need to be taken into account in order to optimise pregnancy rates1, 2. This is particularly critical during treatment of infertility since gametes and embryos are extremely sensitive. Precautions have to be taken at every step to prevent toxic or harmful components from entering the culture system.
Plastic disposables and reprotoxicity
Plastic disposables are used throughout the IVF process, from oocyte aspiration to embryo transfer. However only a small percentage of the contact supplies and tissue cultureware used in IVF is suitably tested.
When plastic disposables are insufficiently quality controlled, they can contain components that are toxic to human reproductive cells such as gametes and embryos. This phenomenon can be referred to as reprotoxicity and is defined as a negative influence on the physiology and viability of human gametes and embryos. Reprotoxicity can result in reduced gamete and embryo viability with a subsequent reduction in implantation rate or ongoing pregnancy rates3.
Vitrolife MEA can detect sub-optimal conditions
It has been reported that not all disposables on the market used for IVF fulfil the quality standard needed for safe procedures. Approximately 25% of all contact materials failed pre-screening with an accurate and sensitive Mouse Embryo Assay (MEA) and were considered sub-optimal for IVF4.
Vitrolife has developed the most sensitive MEA protocols. These assays are capable of detecting toxic and sub-optimal raw materials, media, and contact materials. The MEA from Vitrolife is sensitive enough to identify subtle problems that will also lead to impaired human embryo development.
The Mouse Embryo Assay performed on Vitrolife Labware
1-cell MEA only
Embryos are most sensitive at the 1-cell stage. Using this starting point for the MEA makes the assay more sensitive.
Multiple end-points for assessment of embryo development
Discrete time points are selected for assessment and embryos are assessed using multiple end-points of development.
Blastocyst cell number on all MEAs
Determining cell number of blastocysts in the MEA is indicative of embryo viability
Blastocyst cell number on all MEAs
Determining cell number of blastocysts in the MEA is indicative of embryo viability
Extensive product sampling and testing
Each LOT of raw material and final products is tested with a highly sensitive MEA to ensure high LOT-to-LOT consistency. Extensive sampling of each LOT is performed to ensure minimal variation within each LOT.
Thorough exposure procedures
To ensure thorough MEA testing, each product undergoes an exposure protocol that reflects its intended use.
Strict acceptance and release criteria
Each raw material and final product shall pass, at every time point, the defined specifications for each stage. The raw material or final product is only released once all results comply with the defined specifications.
Create optimal culture conditions by understanding the importance of extensive quality testing
Plastic disposables are used throughout the IVF process, but only a small percentage of them are suitably tested. When insufficiently quality controlled, plastic disposables can contain components that are toxic to gametes and embryos.
Reprotoxicity has a negative influence on the physiology and viability of human gametes and embryos.
Reprotoxicity can however be minimised by using media and disposables that have been accurately tested.
For a safe environment
Sampling tube and collection container
The sperm collection container has an oval shape and snap-on lid which enables easy and safe sampling. The 5 ml sample tube has a two-position cap enabling conditioning of media. The sampling tube is MEA-tested. The collection container is both MEA and HSSA-tested.
Oocyte collection tube
The oocyte collection tube has a two-position cap to enable venting. It is MEA-tested and can be used with our oocyte retrieval needles for an optimised procedure.
Centrifuge tubes
The centrifuge tubes are available in 15 and 50 mL, both with screw caps. The tubes are MEA and HSSA-tested.
- Sterility assurance level (irradiation)10-6
- Virgin polystyrene
- Endotoxin level <0,25 EU/device (LAL)
- Medical Device products certified for IVF
- MEA using multiple endpoints, including 1-cell, expanded blastocyst within 96 hours ≥ 80% and cell count.
Why you should only use IVF certified plastics
There are at least 30 plastic items involved in every IVF procedure. If each of them reduce the embryo viability by 2%, the final viability at re-implantation is reduced by 44%. Download this white paper to learn about what to think about when using plastics in your IVF lab.
Maintaining the correct temperature is a critical environmental factor for gametes and embryos and needs to be carefully monitored.
- Jan Gunst, clinical embryologist, Belgium
Vitrolife Diagnostic
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