A new study from Kathryn Gurner, Rebecca Kelley, Lisa Lee and David Gardner asked the question: How do variations in the loading and movement procedures of embryo transfer catheters impact temperature and pH fluctuations during the embryo transfer process?
To assess the effects of airflow/movement, catheter coverings, and workstation type on catheter temperature, mock embryo transfers were performed. Temperature was recorded every 5 seconds from the initiation of mock embryo loading (TL) up to 60 seconds (TL +60s), using a thermocouple probe inserted into the outer catheter or attached to the inner catheter's exterior. Fluctuations in culture medium pH in embryo transfer dishes were also monitored.
At TL+15s, catheter temperature was lower (26.8 ±0.61°C) compared to TL (30.5 ±0.81°C, P <0.05). Covering the catheters reduced the rate of cooling during transit (P<0.05). Catheters loaded in a crib maintained temperature better than those loaded on a heated stage until transit initiation, after which the temperature decrease rate was similar. Culture medium pH increased faster when dishes were on a heated stage compared to an open crib.
The study concluded “Temperature loss during the ET procedure can be mitigated by reducing transit time and using catheter coverings. Use of a crib for catheter loading only improved temperature stability while the catheter remained in the crib, not during transit, and it reduced pH fluctuations during the procedure.”
