The value of the modern embryologist to a successful IVF system: revisiting an age-old question

Springer Science and Business Media LLC - Tập 26 Số 1 - 2021
Fadi Choucair1, Nagham Younis1, Alia Hourani2,1
1Middle East Fertility Society Embryology Specialty Interest Group, Beirut, Lebanon
2International Hospital, Kuwait, Kuwait

Tóm tắt

Abstract Background The embryology laboratory remains one of the primary factors influencing the overall performance of the IVF clinic. Clinical embryology, however, has undergone remarkable advancements over the last decade. These developments in both practice and education have been driven together by science and technology. Main body The changes in clinical embryology practice have created a significant challenge for both the profession and the embryologist. New competencies for embryologists have subsequently emerged to provide and manage high-quality services for their patients and clinics. Embryologists’ efficacy behind the scenes reflects positively on the success of the fertility clinic. This framework will serve as the flagship document to shed light on the often-overlooked value of the embryologist as an intellectual and intangible asset for the clinic. Conclusion To fully leverage a modern embryologist’s skill set, significant investment is required from the IVF clinics’ leadership, which is associated with a substantial return on the IVF clinic’s success. From their side, embryologists should be up to date on further developments and innovations. On the other hand, mentors need to mend the curriculum to allow for better training of high-caliber embryologists.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Quinn P. Culture media, solutions, and systems in human ART. (2014). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Group EP-SP-AW, E Coonen, C Rubio, D Christopikou, E Dimitriadou, J Gontar, V Goossens, M Maurer, F Spinella and N Vermeulen. (2020). ESHRE PGT Consortium good practice recommendations for the detection of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations. Hum Reprod Open. 2020;2020(3):hoaa017.

Zaninovic N, Rosenwaks Z (2020) Artificial intelligence in human in vitro fertilization and embryology. Fert Steril 114(5):914–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.09.157

Go KJ (2015) ‘By the work, one knows the workman’: the practice and profession of the embryologist and its translation to quality in the embryology laboratory. Reprod BioMed Online 31(4):449–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.07.006

Fauser B (2015) The Alpha Consensus Meeting on the professional status of the clinical embryologist: proceedings of an expert meeting. Reprod Biomed Online 30:451

Tiegs AW, Scott RT Jr (2020) Evaluation of fertilization, usable blastocyst development, and sustained implantation rates according to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) operator experience. Reprod BioMed Online. 41(1):19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.008

Shen S, Khabani A, Klein N, Battaglia D (2003) Statistical analysis of factors affecting fertilization rates and clinical outcome associated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertil Steril 79(2):355–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(02)04675-7

Maggiulli R, Cimadomo D, Fabozzi G, Papini L, Dovere L, Ubaldi FM, Rienzi L (2020) The effect of ICSI-related procedural timings and operators on the outcome. Hum Reprod 35(1):32–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dez234

Capalbo A, Ubaldi FM, Cimadomo D, Maggiulli R, Patassini C, Dusi L, Sanges F, Buffo L, Venturella R, Rienzi L (2016) Consistent and reproducible outcomes of blastocyst biopsy and aneuploidy screening across different biopsy practitioners: a multicentre study involving 2586 embryo biopsies. Hum Reprod 31(1):199–208. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dev294

Kader AA, Choi A, Orief Y, Agarwal A (2009) Factors affecting the outcome of human blastocyst vitrification. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 7(1):99. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-7-99

Keel BA and TK Schalue. (2010). Reproductive laboratory regulations, certifications and reporting systems. In: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Springer, USA: Springer. pp 55-70.

Kovačič B, FJ Prados, C Plas, BJ Woodward, G Verheyen, L Ramos, S Mäkinen, SJ Apter, F Vidal and S Ziebe. (2020). ESHRE Clinical Embryologist certification: the first 10 years. Hum Reprod Open. 2020;2020(3):hoaa026. https://academic.oup.com/hropen/article/2020/3/hoaa017/5848300.

Go KJ, JC Patel and R Dietz. (2012). Troubleshooting in the Clinical Embryology Laboratory: The Art of Problem-Solving in ART. In: Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization. Springer, USA: Springer. pp 631-637.

Holmes R, Barrett CB (2017) Quality Management in the IVF Laboratory. Principles of IVF Laboratory Practice: Optimizing Performance and Outcomes, p 266

Storr A, Venetis CA, Cooke S, Kilani S, Ledger W (2017) Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement between embryologists during selection of a single Day 5 embryo for transfer: a multicenter study. Hum Reprod 32(2):307–314. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dew330

Flin R. (2014). Improving decision making in the clinic and laboratory. The importance of Non-Technical Skills. In: Human reproduction. Oxford Univ Press Great Clarendon ST, Oxford OX2 6DP, England. pp 83-83.

Fitzgerald R, Legge M, Frank N (2013) When biological scientists become healthcare workers: emotional labour in embryology. Hum Reprod 28(5):1289–1296. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det051

Durban M, García D, Obradors A, Vernaeve V, Vassena R (2016) Are we ready to inject? Individualized LC-CUSUM training in ICSI. J Assist Reprod Genet 33(8):1009–1015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0686-4

Conaghan J (2017) After 25 years of performing ICSI, can we still improve the technique? ASEBIR 22:30–34

Ebner T, Yaman C, Moser M, Sommergruber M, Jesacher K, Tews G (2001) A prospective study on oocyte survival rate after ICSI: influence of injection technique and morphological features. J Assist Reprod Genet 18(12):623–628. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013171505702

Paternot G, Devroe J, Debrock S, D'Hooghe TM, Spiessens C (2009) Intra-and inter-observer analysis in the morphological assessment of early-stage embryos. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 7(1):105. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-7-105

Bendus AEB, Mayer JF, Shipley SK, Catherino WH (2006) Interobserver and intraobserver variation in day 3 embryo grading. Fertil Steril 86(6):1608–1615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.05.037

López-Lería B, Jimena P, Clavero A, Gonzalvo M, Carrillo S, Serrano M, López-Regalado M, Olvera C, Martínez L, Castilla J (2014) Embryologists’ health: a nationwide online questionnaire. J Assist Reprod Genet 31(12):1587–1597. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0352-7

Centola G (2018) Stress in the Workplace: Results from a Perceived Stress Survey of ART Laboratory Professionals. Reprod BioMed Online 37:e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.06.006

Kim WC and R Mauborgne. Blue ocean strategy, expanded edition: How to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant. (2014). Harvard Business Review Press, USA.

Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Tập 26 Số 1

Thông tin tác giả