TDK conference 2017

Assisted reproductive techniques are the most effective treatments of infertility. The main type of ART is in vitro fertilization (IVF), in which the gametes of prospected parents are fertilized and embryos are cultured in vitro until the day of embryo transfer and/or freezing.

Gametes and embryos obtained from the IVF cycles are kept in an artificial environment that mimics the internal milieu of the female reproductive tract. This environment provides all the resources that necessary to reach their genetically determined developmental potential. In the modern IVF laboratory practice this phase may last for 6-7 days. During this period, gametes and embryos are continuously developing and going through several well distinguished morphologic, metabolic and genetic changes.

Embryos show an increased sensitivity for the environment. There are some critical developmental stages where embryos are extremely vulnerable that can greatly affect their development.

Embryologists have an important role and responsibility optimizing the milieu of these cells that requires a sets of skills and needs an in-depth knowledge of reproductive sciences.

In such a complex system is very difficult to maintain the stability, not only regarding laboratory equipments but employees as well. One of many important characteristic of an embryology laboratory is the relatively quick feedback on the results of the processes (e.g. fertilization rates, blastulation rates, pregnancy rates).

Even more complicated to evaluate these results alongside the diversity of patients. There are several factors that may have an effect on late fetal development or on post-natal health that does not necessarily coincide with morphological changes of embryos.

It is very important to emphasize that infertility is a complex disease and the exact cause is often unclear. Patients and their chances for success could be very different such as the maximal developmental potential and viability of their embryos.

Due to these characteristics and problems, the quality, repeatability, solidity of the treatments and evaluation of the results should play an important role in IVF laboratories.

The aim of this study is to summarize the main policy, goals and problems of quality assurance in embryology laboratories and to develop a statistic model to analyze data of IVF treatments and laboratory factors in order to objectively evaluate the quality of our work (e.g. changes over time, differences between techniques, technicians and doctors).