Clinical Benefits of Decreased Photo-Oxidative Stress on Human Embryo Development

Med Princ Pract. 2024;33(2):112-121. doi: 10.1159/000536358. Epub 2024 Jan 23.

Abstract

Objective: Early embryonic development is characterized by rapid cell division and gene activation, making the embryo extremely sensitive to environmental influences. Light exposure can affect embryonic development through a direct toxic effect on the embryo via the generation of reactive oxygen species. In a previous study, we demonstrated the positive effect of improved light-protected embryo culture conditions implemented in our laboratory. This study aimed to investigate the changes in human embryo development under light protection during the conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Materials and methods: We tested the potential beneficial effect of light filters to reduce the risk of toxic effects of light. IVF outcomes were compared between two experimental conditions, light protection with red light filters versus no light protection as a control.

Results: Blastocyst development rate in IVF was significantly higher in the light-protected group than in the group treated under conventional conditions (46.6 vs. 26.7%). In the case of ICSI, we obtained a similar result (44.5 vs. 31.6%). The rate of cryopreservation with at least one embryo was higher in the light-protected phase (32.8%) than in the conventionally manipulated phase (26.8%). The abortion rate was also significantly lower during the light-protected period in IVF, resulting in a higher live birth rate.

Conclusions: The implementation of light protection to reduce the embryotoxic wavelengths of light in IVF centers may improve the blastocyst development rate and embryo quality while maintaining embryo safety.

Keywords: Abortion; Blastocyst; In vitro fertilization; Intracytoplasmic sperm injection; Light protection; Live birth rate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Grants and funding

Project No. RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00012, titled National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, has been implemented with the support provided by the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Union within the framework of Programme Széchenyi Plan Plus, and this project has received funding from the HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network. The research was performed in collaboration with the Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility at the Szentágothai Research Centre of the University of Pécs. R.H and A.G. were supported by the grants GINOP-2.3.4-15-2020-00010, GINOP-2.3.1-20-2020-00001, and ERASMUS+-2019-0-HU01-KA203-061251. Bioinformatics infrastructure was supported by ELIXIR Hungary (http://elixir-hungary.org). J.E. was supported by TKP2021-EGA-17 provided by the National Research, Development, and Innovation Fund of Hungary, financed under the EGA 17 funding scheme.