The effect of oxygen concentration on embryo development and assisted reproductive technologies efficiency

Abstract

© 2018 Human Stem Cell Institute. All rights reserved. Many different factors have an effect on the preimplantation development of embryos under conditions in vitro. One of these factors is the oxygen concentration in the culture medium. Currently, IVF labs have ability to cultivate embryos either under conditions of atmospheric oxygen concentration or at low oxygen concentration (hypoxia). This review is focused on the analysis of up to date research and clinical results which are trying to establish an "optimal" composition of the gas mixture in the incubator to generate more viable embryos and increase the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies programs.