Alpha is proud to partner and collaborate with Reproductive BioMedicine Online (RBMO) - a leading journal in clinical embryology and assisted reproduction. Paid Alpha membership provides free access to RBMO as the official journal of our society!
This page showcases selected papers from current volumes and other highlights from the journal.
RBMO Volume 52 Hot Topics
Improved clinical outcomes with one-step warming of vitrified blastocysts: a retrospective analysis of 3,167 transfers
Hakan K. Yelke, Caroline Pirkevi Çetinkaya, Tutku Melis Aygün, Serkan Selimoğlu, Semra Yıldız, Yeşim Kumtepe Çolakoğlu, Semra Kahraman
RBMO Editors’ comments: Could simplifying embryo warming improve IVF outcomes? In a study of more than 3,100 vitrified blastocyst cycles, a one-step warming protocol was associated with higher pregnancy and live birth rates while maintaining comparable neonatal safety. The findings raise interesting questions about whether less complex lab processes may lead to better results.
Effect of a pro-fertility diet combined with omega-3 supplementation on embryo quality in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: randomized controlled trial
Mahnaz Ghadimi Yari, Hatav Ghasemi-Tehrani, Awat Feizi, Rahele Ziaei, Marzieh Derakhshan, Mohammad Hossein Rouhani
RBMO Editors’ comments: Can maternal diet meaningfully influence IVF outcomes? In this randomized trial, women following a pro-fertility diet with omega-3 supplementation had higher fertilization rates and a greater proportion of top-quality embryos than controls. The findings add to ongoing debate over how much targeted lifestyle interventions can improve results in assisted reproduction.
Effect of constant (5%) versus gradient (8% to 2%) oxygen concentration on human blastocyst development: a sibling oocyte study
Peter Slatinšek, Milan Reljič, Borut Kovačič
RBMO Editors’ comments: Is mimicking in vivo oxygen conditions a better approach to embryo culture in vitro? Not according to this carefully designed and executed study. Can the potential interaction between culture media and oxygen levels explain these results?
Physical activity, sedentary time, and sperm DNA fragmentation index in healthy Japanese men
Hongxuan Li, Wen Hao, Eri Maeda, Yukiyo Kumazawa, Kazumasa Takahashi, Takashi Tanaka, Isao Yokota, Yukihiro Terada, Kyoko Nomura, Hiroshi Okada, Akiko Tamakoshi
RBMO Editors’ comments: Exercise: a simple intervention that can be suggested when men say ‘but what can I do to help?’ Of course, we need a RCT to show causality, or will we be forever plagued by mere association?
RBMO Insights
Monthly newsletter from RBMO, with Talking Points article features, journal updates, highlights, community news, event previews and more…
RBMO Digest
Quarterly collection of journal highlights selected by
Chief Editors Nick Macklon and Juan García-Velasco
The Istanbul Consensus update: a revised ESHRE/ALPHA consensus on oocyte and embryo static and dynamic morphological assessment
This European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)/Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine (ALPHA) consensus document is a comprehensive update to the 2011 Istanbul Consensus. This document provides 20 recommendations focused on the timeline of preimplantation developmental events and morphological criteria for oocyte, zygote and embryo assessment. Based on the duration of embryo culture, recommendations are given on the frequency and timing of assessments to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Several criteria relevant to oocyte and embryo morphology have not been well studied, leading to either a recommendation against their use for grading or for their use in ranking rather than grading.
Cairo Consensus on Accreditation as the Basis for Future-Proofing the ART Laboratory
An international consensus meeting was convened to discuss globally applicable strategies for ‘future-proofing’ ART laboratories. The central theme was how the application of the foundational principles of laboratory accreditation enables any centre to create an ethos and framework that will support future-proofing in all regards. Discussions focussed on ART laboratory services from egg retrieval and semen specimen receipt to embryo transfer, as well as pertinent cryobanking activities. Issues related to whether ART treatment should be considered an essential service, overall clinic operations, general patient care, and the provision of clinical treatment, were not included as they fall under the purview of physicians and public health authorities. This report details the 16 core consensus points reached, which are supported by extensive practical recommendations that cover the gamut of ART laboratory operations.
Sustainability in the IVF Lab: an interview with Alpha Scientists and International IVF Initiative
Mina Alikani, Giles Palmer, Jacques Cohen, and Francesca Farlie from Alpha Scientists and the International IVF Initiative, lead authors and the organizing team behind the paper ‘Sustainability in the IVF laboratory: recommendations of an expert panel’, sat down with RBMO for an interview to discuss the genesis of the project, the issues they are tackling and their recommendations for the future of green IVF.