ICSI

Prospective, multicenter research study with a split-sample design on semen samples, without intervention, to develop an artificial intelligence platform for the analysis of sperm samples and prediction of their clinical potential, in 500 semen samples, in an in vitro study over 24 months.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of assisted oocyte activation (AOA) using Ca²⁺ ionophores in cases of total fertilization failure (TFF) due to oocyte activation deficiency (OAD). The study will be conducted in two phases: Phase I will compare the fertilization rates of oocytes exposed to two types of Ca²⁺ ionophore treatments- Ionomycin solution and commercially available CultActive-against a control group without calcium ionophore treatment. Phase II will assess whether an additional injection of CaCl2, prior to exposure to the chosen ionophore from Phase I, further improves fertilization outcomes. The goal is to identify the optimal AOA protocol for improving fertilization rates and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this approach in relation to ploidy, with a focus on ensuring normal pre-implantation embryo development.

IVF incubators are essential for maintaining the micro-environment required for embryo development. Incubator technology has progressed from early humidified box systems to benchtop and now time-lapse platforms, driving the development of dry incubator chambers. Both humidified and dry systems have specific pros and cons. Evidence to date suggests that humidified chambers may support better blastocyst development in certain "no-refresh" continuous culture conditions, but current data are limited and study designs remain weak. This study aims to compare sibling oocytes cultured in dry versus humidified chambers within a GERI time-lapse incubator under continuous culture conditions, assessing effects on viability and developmental outcomes. Findings may inform optimal incubation strategies to improve IVF success rates while supporting uninterrupted workflows and potentially improving cost-benefit efficiency in the IVF laboratory.

In assisted reproductive technology (ART), sperm preparation aims to select the most viable sperm for ICSI. Unlike conventional methods like density gradients or sperm washing, microfluidic techniques mimic natural selection in the female reproductive tract by using laminar flow without centrifugation, reducing the risk of DNA damage. This method isolates highly motile sperm while filtering out debris and immotile cells. Studies show that microfluidics improve embryo quality, increase pregnancy rates, and may lead to higher euploidy rates. Additional benefits include improved safety, scalability, and shorter preparation times.