Good Tissue Practices (GTP) for the Cryopreservation of Reproductive Tissues in an Era of Pandemic-mania: What is the Best Practice Policy?
Main Article Content
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 to date has altered all our lives and how clinical medicine is practiced. Faced with a highly infectious coronavirus, specifically known as Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), in our homes, clinical environment and laboratories, we have applied preventative measures to potentially control and contain this mysterious pathogen. Although the concepts of frequent handwashing/ disinfection, social distancing and face mask wearing were rigidly applied with regional variation of acceptance in the USA, clinics and reproductive biology/IVF laboratories adapted strict global policies for a safer workplace for our staff, patients, and the specimens we handled. We address the concerns that resurfaced with the COVID -19 pandemic, regarding potential disease transmission between hosts, reproductive tissue (sperm, oocytes and embryos), recipient uteri and the fetus. To what extent were preventative measures sufficient and is there a need for adopting “best practices” above and beyond established “good tissue practices”. In fear of future pandemic disease events (“pandemic-mania”) impacting fertility treatments, this paper addresses the rationale and benefits of adhering strictly to best practices, like the use of secure closed system biocontainment in cryostorage as an important preventative measure. Additionally, historical and current perspectives are discussed and the ability to change established practices under the guise of commercial influences.
Keywords:
Covid-19, Reproductive Medicine, Oocyte, Embryo, Sperm, Cryopreservation
Article Details
How to Cite
SCHIEWE, Mitchel C..
Good Tissue Practices (GTP) for the Cryopreservation of Reproductive Tissues in an Era of Pandemic-mania: What is the Best Practice Policy?.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 10, n. 10, oct. 2022.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/3177>. Date accessed: 22 dec. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v10i10.3177.
Section
Research Articles
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
References
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22. De los Santos MJ, Apter S, Coticchio G, Debrock S, Lundin K, et al. European Society for Human reproduction and Embryology:Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories. ESHRE,2015, pp. 1-30.
23. Mortimer D. Current and future concepts and practices in human sperm cryobanking. Reprod BioMed Online. 2004;9(2):134–51.
24. Benifla J-L, Letur-Konçrsch H, Collin G et al. Safety of cryopreservation straws for human gametes or embryos: a preliminary study with human immunodeficiency virus-1. Hum Reprod. 2000: 15:2186–2189.
25. Magli MC, Van den Abbeel E, Lundin K, Royere D, Van der Elst J, et al. Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories. Hum Reprod. 2008; 23(6):1253-62.
26. Kuwayama M, Vatja G, Kato O, Leibo S. Highly efficient vitrification method for cryopreservation of human oocytes. Reprod BioMed Online. 2005a;11:300-8.
27. Patheodorou A, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Petousis S, Gullo G, et al. How does closed system vitrification of human oocytes affect the clinical outcome? A prospective, observational, cohort, noninferiority trial in an oocyte donation program. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1348-55. doi.org/10.1016/j.fertstert.2016.07.1066
28. Porcu E, Tranquillo ML, Notarangelo L, Ciotti PM, Calza N, et al. High-security closed devices are efficient and safe to protect human oocytes from potential risk of viral contamination during vitrification and storage especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. J Asst Reprod Genet. 2021;38:681-88. Doi.ord/10.1007/s10815-021-02062-y
29. Panagiotidis Y, Vanderzwalmen P, Prapas Y, Kasapi E, Goudakou M, Papatheodorou A, et al. Open versus closed vitrification of blastocysts from an oocyte-donation programme: a prospective randomized study. Reprod BioMed Online. 2013;26:470–6.
30. Schiewe MC, Zozula S, Anderson RE, Fahy GM. Validation of microSecure vitrification (μS-VTF) for the effective cryopreservation of human embryos and oocytes. Cryobiol. 2015;71:264–72.
31. Schiewe MC, Zozula S, Nugent N, Waggoner K, Borba J, Gamboa L, et al. Modified microSecure vitrification: a safe, simple and highly effective cryopreservation procedure for human blastocysts. J Vis Exp. 2017;121:e54871.
32. Papatheodorou A, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Prapas N, Zikopoulos K, Georgiou I, et al. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized study. Reprod BioMed Online. 2013;26:595–602.
33. Wirleitner B, Vanderzwalmen P, Bach M, Baramsai B, Neyer A, Schwerda D, et al. The time aspect in storing vitrified blastocysts: its impact on survival rate, implantation potential and babies born. Hum Reprod. 2013;28:2950–7.
34. Anderson R, Whitney J, Schiewe M. Clinical benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) for all in vitro fertilization treatment cycles. J Eur Med Genet. 2019;62:103731.
35. Allahbadia, G. Will procreation ever be the same after COVID-19? J Obstet Gynnecol India. 2021; 71:51-6. Doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-001536-4.
36. Zivkovia SV, Baricevic M, Caviovic K, Cerina M, Cukusi-Kalajzic A, et al. Croatian Society of Clinical Embryologist – guidelines on the epidemiological framework for the implementation of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the safety of patients and medical health care workers. Mol Exp Biol Med. 2020; 3:9-16.
37. Schiewe MC, Emeny-Smith K, Nugent N, Zozula S, Wozniak K, et al. The efficacy, safety and proven security of microSecure vitrification offers “peace-of-mind” and reliability during a global pandemic. 37th ESHRE Mtg, Paris (Virtual, P-758); Hum Reprod (Suppl) 2021: 36(1):482.
38. Thibier M, Nibart M. Disease control and embryo importations. Theriogenology 1987;27:37-47.
2. Pomeroy K, Schiewe MC. Cryopreservation and IVF in the Time of Covid-19: What is the Best Good Tissue Practice (GTP)? J Asst Reprod Genet. 2020; 37:2393-2398.
3. Ries J. Here’s how COVID-19 compares to past outbreaks 5 May 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.healthline.com/ health-news/how-deadly-is-the-coronavirus-compared-to-pastoutbreaks#2009-(H1N1)-flu-pandemic. [Accessed 5 June 2020].
4. Sparks AET, Kresowik JD. Infection precautions for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in assisted reproductive centers: dodging an invisible bullet. Fertil Steril. 2021; 115:831-39. doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.01.016
5. Givens D, Stringfellow DA. Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society: A procedural guide and general information for the use of embryo transfer technology, emphasizing sanitary precautions. 4th ed. Champaign: International Embryo Transfer Society; 2008. p. 1–145.
6. Bielanski A. A review of the risk of contamination of semen and embryos during cryopreservation and measures to limit cross contamination during banking to prevent disease transmission in ET practices. Theriogenology. 2012;77(3):467–82.
7. Bielanski A, Nadin-Davis S, Sapp T, Lutz-Wallace C. Viral contamination of embryos cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Cryobiol. 2000;40(2):110–6.
8. Qian J, Hospodsky D, Yamamoto N, Nazaroff W, Peccia J. Size resolved emission rates of airborne bacteria and fungi in an occupied classroom. Indoor Air. 2012;22:339–51.
9. Diangeng L, Jin M, Bao P., Zhao W, Zhang S. Clinical characteristics and results of semen tests among men with coronavirus disease. 7 May 2020. [Online]. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2765654?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=050720. [Accessed 5 June 2020].
10. Pan F, Xiao X, Guo J, Song Y, Li H, Patel D, et al. No evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in 393 semen of males recovering from COVID-19. Fertil Steril. 2020;113(6): 1135–9.
11. Araneta M, Mascola L, Eller A, O'Neil L, Ginsberg M, Bursaw M, et al. HIV transmission through donor artificial insemination. JAMA. 1995;273(11):854–8.
12. Quayle A, Zu C, Mayer K, Anderson DJ. T lymphocytes and macrophages, but not motile spermatozoa, are a significant source of human immunodeficiency virus in semen. J Infect Dis. 1997;176:960–8.
13. Loskutoff N, Huyser C, Singh R, Tech B, Walker D, Thornhill A, et al. Use of a novel washing method combining multiple density gradients and trypsin for removing human immunodeficiency virus1 and hepatitis C virus from semen. Fertil Steril. 2005;84:1001–10.
14. Dineen T, Woodward B. Other factors to consider with sperm preparation for treatment. In: Jayant Mehta BW, editor. Male infertility: sperm diagnosis, management and delivery. JP Medical Publishers, Ltd: London; 2014. p. 71–80.
15. Colaco S, Chhabria K, Singh N, Bhide A, Singh SDA, Husein A, Mishra A, Sharma R, Ashary N, Modi D. Expression of SARSCoV-2 receptor ACE2 and the spike protein processing enzymes in developing human embryos. April 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340646795 Expression_of_SARS-CoV-2_receptor_ACE2_and_the_spike_protein_ processing_enzymes_in_developing_human_embryos. [Accessed 5 June 2020].
16. Parmegiani L, Accorsi A, Cognigni G, Bernardi S, Troilo E, Filicori M. Sterilization of liquid nitrogen with ultraviolet irradiation for safe vitrification of human oocytes or embryos. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(4):1525–8.
17. Parmegiani L, Accorsi A, Bernardi S, Arnone A, Cognigni G, Filicori M. A reliable procedure for decontamination before thawing of human specimens cryostored in liquid nitrogen: three washes with sterile liquid nitrogen (SLN2). Fertil Steril. 2012;98(4):870–5.
18. Yuan J, Qian H, Cao S, Dong B, Yan X et al. Is there possibility of vertical transmission of COVID-19: a systematic review. Transl Pediatr. 2021;10(2):423-34. doi.org/10.21037/tp-20-144.
19. Chaubey I, Vignesh R, Babu H, Wagoner I, Govindaraj S, Velu V. SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women: Consequences of vertical transmission. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021:11:717104. Doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.717104
20. Bielanski A, Dubuc C. In vitro fertilization of ova from cows experimentally infected with a non-cytopathic strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus. Anim Reprod Sci. 1995;38:215–22.
21. Cobo A, Bellver J, de los Santos M, Remohí J. Viral screening of spent culture media and liquid nitrogen samples of oocytes and embryos from hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus chronically infected women undergoing in vitro fertilization cycles. Fertil Steril. 2012;97(1):74–8.
22. De los Santos MJ, Apter S, Coticchio G, Debrock S, Lundin K, et al. European Society for Human reproduction and Embryology:Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories. ESHRE,2015, pp. 1-30.
23. Mortimer D. Current and future concepts and practices in human sperm cryobanking. Reprod BioMed Online. 2004;9(2):134–51.
24. Benifla J-L, Letur-Konçrsch H, Collin G et al. Safety of cryopreservation straws for human gametes or embryos: a preliminary study with human immunodeficiency virus-1. Hum Reprod. 2000: 15:2186–2189.
25. Magli MC, Van den Abbeel E, Lundin K, Royere D, Van der Elst J, et al. Revised guidelines for good practice in IVF laboratories. Hum Reprod. 2008; 23(6):1253-62.
26. Kuwayama M, Vatja G, Kato O, Leibo S. Highly efficient vitrification method for cryopreservation of human oocytes. Reprod BioMed Online. 2005a;11:300-8.
27. Patheodorou A, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Petousis S, Gullo G, et al. How does closed system vitrification of human oocytes affect the clinical outcome? A prospective, observational, cohort, noninferiority trial in an oocyte donation program. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(6):1348-55. doi.org/10.1016/j.fertstert.2016.07.1066
28. Porcu E, Tranquillo ML, Notarangelo L, Ciotti PM, Calza N, et al. High-security closed devices are efficient and safe to protect human oocytes from potential risk of viral contamination during vitrification and storage especially in the COVID-19 pandemic. J Asst Reprod Genet. 2021;38:681-88. Doi.ord/10.1007/s10815-021-02062-y
29. Panagiotidis Y, Vanderzwalmen P, Prapas Y, Kasapi E, Goudakou M, Papatheodorou A, et al. Open versus closed vitrification of blastocysts from an oocyte-donation programme: a prospective randomized study. Reprod BioMed Online. 2013;26:470–6.
30. Schiewe MC, Zozula S, Anderson RE, Fahy GM. Validation of microSecure vitrification (μS-VTF) for the effective cryopreservation of human embryos and oocytes. Cryobiol. 2015;71:264–72.
31. Schiewe MC, Zozula S, Nugent N, Waggoner K, Borba J, Gamboa L, et al. Modified microSecure vitrification: a safe, simple and highly effective cryopreservation procedure for human blastocysts. J Vis Exp. 2017;121:e54871.
32. Papatheodorou A, Vanderzwalmen P, Panagiotidis Y, Prapas N, Zikopoulos K, Georgiou I, et al. Open versus closed oocyte vitrification system: a prospective randomized study. Reprod BioMed Online. 2013;26:595–602.
33. Wirleitner B, Vanderzwalmen P, Bach M, Baramsai B, Neyer A, Schwerda D, et al. The time aspect in storing vitrified blastocysts: its impact on survival rate, implantation potential and babies born. Hum Reprod. 2013;28:2950–7.
34. Anderson R, Whitney J, Schiewe M. Clinical benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) for all in vitro fertilization treatment cycles. J Eur Med Genet. 2019;62:103731.
35. Allahbadia, G. Will procreation ever be the same after COVID-19? J Obstet Gynnecol India. 2021; 71:51-6. Doi.org/10.1007/s13224-021-001536-4.
36. Zivkovia SV, Baricevic M, Caviovic K, Cerina M, Cukusi-Kalajzic A, et al. Croatian Society of Clinical Embryologist – guidelines on the epidemiological framework for the implementation of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the safety of patients and medical health care workers. Mol Exp Biol Med. 2020; 3:9-16.
37. Schiewe MC, Emeny-Smith K, Nugent N, Zozula S, Wozniak K, et al. The efficacy, safety and proven security of microSecure vitrification offers “peace-of-mind” and reliability during a global pandemic. 37th ESHRE Mtg, Paris (Virtual, P-758); Hum Reprod (Suppl) 2021: 36(1):482.
38. Thibier M, Nibart M. Disease control and embryo importations. Theriogenology 1987;27:37-47.