Automation of Oocyte and Embryo Vitrification: A Pilot
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AUTOMATION OF OOCYTE AND EMBRYO VITRIFICATION: A PILOT STUDY
IRAS ID
357546
Contact name
Giuseppe Silvestri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Conceivable Life Sciences
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to test a new robotic system called PRESERVE-CR that automates the freezing (vitrification) of eggs and embryos during fertility treatments. Currently, this process is done manually by embryologists and requires precise timing and skill.
The research will take place at CARE Fertility Manchester and will involve 125 couples undergoing IVF/ICSI fertility treatment. With participants' consent, their surplus eggs and embryos (those not needed for their immediate treatment) will be divided into two groups - half will be frozen using the traditional manual method, and half using the new robotic system.
The main goal is to determine if the robotic system works as well as the manual method by comparing how many eggs and embryos survive the freezing and thawing process. The study will also measure if the robotic method can save time and reduce workload for laboratory staff.
Importantly, this research only uses surplus eggs and embryos that would otherwise be discarded, and all samples will be anonymized so researchers cannot identify which patients they came from. After testing, all samples will be disposed of within 14 days according to standard clinic procedures .
This study has been designed with input from patient focus groups, addressing the need for more efficient and potentially less expensive fertility treatments. The research is funded by Conceivable Life Sciences and partially supported by an Innovate UK grant.
If successful, this technology could help standardize laboratory procedures, potentially reduce costs of fertility treatments, and make these treatments more accessible to patients who currently cannot afford them.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0113
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion