How to improve success rates in embryo culture in assisted reproduction clinics

VOCs under control to improve embryo culture

The success of an In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cycle is the result of thousands of details being controlled to the extreme. However, in the quest for environmental perfection, a battle is often waged against an invisible and highly harmful enemy: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). In the delicate ecosystem of an embryology laboratory, where life begins in its most vulnerable state, the presence of these chemical contaminants in the air is not a secondary factor, but a direct threat that can lead to treatment failure.

Unlike a developed human being, oocytes, sperm and embryos lack defence systems. They are extremely chemosensitive to their environment. VOCs, emitted by sources as common in a laboratory as plastics in consumables, disinfectants used in cleaning, paints, furniture and even staff cosmetics, can be embryotoxic. Their presence in the air, even at very low concentrations, can alter the pH of the culture medium, induce oxidative stress in cells, damage their genetic material and ultimately halt their development or compromise their viability.

This silent threat translates into devastating clinical consequences: lower fertilisation rates, poorer quality embryonic development and a significant reduction in implantation and pregnancy rates. For this reason, and in line with the guidelines of demanding regulations such as the UNE 171340 Standard for the validation and control of environmental quality in assisted reproduction laboratories, continuous air monitoring has gone from being a good practice to a fundamental pillar. The implementation of highly sensitive sensors, such as those using PID (photoionisation) technology, allows the presence of VOCs to be detected in real time and immediate action to be taken to eliminate them. This comprehensive control ensures an ultra-clean environment, providing a crucial layer of safety to protect embryos and maximise the chances of success for patients.