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

ObjectiveTo test consumables and other products used during oocyte collection, sperm preparation, IUI, embryo culture, and IVF-embryo transfer for their possible reprotoxic properties.DesignA prospective 4-year survey of reprotoxicity testing of consumables and other products used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART).SettingPrivate infertility center in a university-affiliated teaching hospital.Intervention(s)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 Measure(s)The SpST index: percentage progressive motility of test sample/percentage progressive motility of control sample after 24 and 96 hours.Result(s)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.Conclusion(s)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.