LAUSR

Objective: To study the effect of installation of a cold-plasma based air purification system in the embryo culture laboratory on the quality of air and the effect on the blastocyst formation and subsequent clinical pregnancy rate Design: After clearance by our Institutional Ethical Committee, a cold-plasma based air purification system was installed in the embryo culture laboratory which already had a well-maintained Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning (HVAC) System The ambient air quality, with specific reference to microbial contamination, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) was compared before and after the installation of this air purification system The blastocyst formation rate and clinical pregnancy rates was also compared during these two time frames Materials and Methods: A portable Novaerus NV-1050 air purification system which consists of cold plasma technology along with activated carbon and HEPA filters was installed in embryo culture laboratory The microbial count was determined weekly while the VOC and PM counts were monitored daily at the same time of the day 410 patients underwent IVF procedures during 6 months Of these, 199 patients underwent IVF before (Group I) and 211 patients (Group II) after the installation of Novaerus air purification system Patient characteristics such as age, indication for IVF, ovarian stimulation protocol, fertilization techniques, embryo culture conditions, embryo transfer techniques and luteal support were similar in both the groups Embryos were cultured till the blastocyst stage and the percentage of excellent quality blastocyst formed per oocyte was recorded All the blastocysts were vitrified and embryo transfer was performed after two months The clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was calculated in each group The data was compared using unpaired t-test, with the help of SPSS software version 21 Results: No microbial growth was detected in both the groups The levels of VOC, PM, Blastocyst formation and clinical pregnancy rate is tabulated [Formula presented] Conclusions: The addition of a cold plasma based air purification system to the culture laboratory with an existing HVAC system significantly reduces the VOC levels and results in a significant increase in the blastocyst formation and clinical pregnancy rates It could be an adjunct in the laboratory in these COVID times where there is an increased use of VOC releasing sanitizers