Impact of Dry vs Humidified Culture Conditions on Blastocyst Development and Aneuploidy: A Time-lapse Sibling Oocyte Study

Impact of Dry vs Humidified Culture Conditions on Blastocyst Development and Aneuploidy: A Time-lapse Sibling Oocyte Study

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PGT-A cycles with more than at least 4 mature oocytes
• ICSI
• maternal age 18- 43 years old
• PGT-A intended cycles with trophectoderm biopsies on day 5 /6/7
• patients with more than 8 oocytes expected for ICSI
• BMI <35
• fresh and frozen ejaculated sperm

Exclusion Criteria:

• PGT-M /PGT-SR cycles
• fresh and frozen testicular sperm
• IVF insemination
• previous history of fertilization failure