IVF in the Time of COVID-19

“For many families, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a time to nest and focus on what really matters — their loved ones,” says Hima Reddy, Product Manager for IVF Lab Consumables at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Australia and New Zealand. “Many people have decided to seize this time as an opportunity to grow their families which is where IVF treatments can aid in that process.”

“It is important to recognise that in vitro fertilisation (IVF) equates to an emotional process for families, as much as it is a scientific procedure for lab practitioners,” advises Hima.

“The key word here is ‘process,’ as in vitro fertilisation involves significant preparation and care in the preservation of samples on the part of laboratory managers,” she explains. “IVF is a time sensitive procedure with intermittent periods of treatment and the careful storage of sperm, eggs and embryos.”

On 12 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus type 2 (COVID-19) outbreak a global health crisis. ¹

Uncertainty about the risks of the virus during pregnancy prompted fertility societies worldwide to recommend that IVF clinics cease treatments and implement temporarily closures, in response to the pandemic.

Pending these abrupt and unprecedented shutdowns of all non-essential clinical operations, laboratory managers were forced to modify their maintenance processes and strategise on how to mitigate the risks of these closures.

Where evidence-based responses suddenly became impossible, laboratory managers deferred to the advice of the global scientific community and governmental organisations.

In line with these changes, Thermo Fisher has also sought to adopt a new business approach to ensure best practices for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) during the pandemic.

“Logistics have slowed down during lockdown, and it has been challenging for suppliers to ensure the correct lab consumables reach the appropriate channels.” Hima explains.

“Reopening strategies will pose even greater challenges in ensuring staff are trained on post-pandemic protocols, which is why Thermo Fisher has been working to ease some of the pressures felt by the labs we work with.”

One of the ways Thermo Fisher is eliminating some of the logistical challenges of IVF during lockdown is by offering better sample management strategies to IVF labs.

“Because of the sensitive nature of IVF samples, it is essential that care is taken in selecting high-quality IVF specific lab consumables and laboratory refrigerators and freezers,” stresses Hima.

According to her, IVF lab consumables generally fall under one of two categories: products for containing, transferring, and mixing embryos such as petri dishes; and cold storage products for cryopreservation.

“Thermo Fisher’s Nunc range of IVF consumables and Cryo Bio System cryopreservation straws are all IVF tested; CE marked; TGA registered; and certified— for safe practices when mixing sperm and eggs, as well as storing them in cryopreservation and biobanking systems,” she notes.

“With the additional challenges of meeting COVID safe compliance, using high-quality, IVF certified, plasticware will play a critical role in mitigating the risks associated with reopening clinics such as the incidental contamination samples or improper storage methods.”

To ensure proper cold storage of egg and embryo samples, Hima recommends labs consider Thermo Fisher Scientific TSX Series high-performance refrigerators and freezers which are IVF certified and include built-in features that ensure samples are stored at the correct temperature range utilising temperature displays, real-time monitoring, and audible alarm systems for alerting changes in the environment.

“I would suggest that clinics look to establish centralised cold storage facilities to reduce the need for the mobility of samples,” says Hima. “This means that where there are multiple labs, they will have the ability to draw samples from the same batch, allowing for a more organised system for tracking samples, and ultimately, reducing lead times.”

“It is important that the staff and management at IVF clinics establish a cohesive approach to their processes upon reopening,” says Hima. “Thermo Fisher can assist in developing contingency plans and ensuring compliance is being met in accordance with national and international guidelines and standards.”

“As a world-leading supplier to the scientific community, Thermo Fisher is well positioned to offer emergency action planning approaches that can be implemented immediately in labs,” she says.

 “No risks can be afforded when it comes to IVF samples—laboratories must place the highest value on these samples,” she cautions. “Even temporary storage in a domestic fridge or freezer can compromise the integrity of a sample, and the cost for families is more than financial —it can take a huge emotional toll on everyone involved.”

Thermo Fisher Scientific does the testing, so you don’t have to. For more information on IVF lab consumables, equipment, and certifications, consult with an expert today, or visit thermofisher.com/ivf.

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