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IntroductionThis study aimed to explore the effect of cryopreservation duration after blastocyst vitrification on the singleton birth-weight of newborns to assess the safety of long-term preservation of frozen–thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT) cycles.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study conducted at the Gynecological Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction Center of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Patients who gave birth to singletons between January 2006 and December 2021 after undergoing FBT cycles were included. Five groups were formed according to the duration of cryopreservation of embryos at FBT: Group I included 274 patients with a storage time < 3 months. Group II included 607 patients with a storage time of 3–6 months. Group III included 322 patients with a storage time of 6–12 months. Group IV included 190 patients with a storage time of 12–24 months. Group V included 118 patients with a storage time of > 24 months. Neonatal outcomes were compared among the groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate birth-weights and other birth-related outcomes.ResultsA total of 1,511 patients were included in the analysis. The longest cryopreservation period was 12 years. The birth-weights of neonates in the five groups were 3344.1 ± 529.3, 3326.1 ± 565.7, 3260.3 ± 584.1, 3349.9 ± 582.7, and 3296.7 ± 491.9 g, respectively (P > 0.05). The incidences of preterm birth, very preterm birth, low birth-weight, and very low birth-weight were similar in all groups (P > 0.05). The large-for-gestational-age and small-for-gestational-age rates did not differ significantly among the groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors that may affect neonatal outcomes, a trend for an increased risk of low birth-weight with prolonged cryopreservation was observed. However, cryopreservation duration and neonatal birth-weight were not significantly correlated (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe duration of cryopreservation after blastocyst vitrification with an open device for more than 2 years had no significant effect on the birth-weight of FBT singletons; however, attention should be paid to a possible increase in the risk of low birth-weight.

BackgroundAssisted reproductive technology (ART) has revolutionized infertility treatment, leading to a surge in ART-conceived children. Despite its success, ART-born offspring face higher risks of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). The mechanisms behind these outcomes remain unclear, partly attributed to multiple embryo transfers. Recent advancements advocate single blastocyst transfers for improved outcomes. However, the influence of blastocyst quality and development speed on neonatal outcomes is underexplored.ObjectiveThis study investigated whether blastocyst development speed and quality affect singleton birthweight when the blastocyst is selected for single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT).MethodsData from patients who performed an FBT cycle at our center from July 2011 to June 2021 were collected and analyzed. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 420 single FBT cycles were assessed. The women were divided into four groups, Group A (day 5, good-quality blastocysts), Group B (day 5, non-good-quality blastocysts), Group C (day 6, good-quality blastocysts), and Group D (day 6, non-good-quality blastocysts) according to the developmental speed and quality of the transferred blastocyst.ResultsThe birthweight was relatively the highest in Group A, which developed rapidly and transferred good quality blastocysts. However, no significant difference existed among the groups (P>0.05). The prevalence of premature birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), or high birth weight (HBW) was similar among the four groups (P > 0.05). No correlation existed between birth weight and blastocyst development speed or quality after adjusting for possible confounders (P > 0.05 respectively). However, the difference in the proportion of males born among the four groups was significant, especially in Group D, which was significantly lower than that in Group A (adjusted odds ratio = 0.461, 95% confidence interval: 0.230–0.921, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis retrospective cohort study suggests that the combined effect of blastocyst development speed and quality on neonatal birthweight is insignificant. The transfer of slow-growing, non-good-quality blastocysts increases the chance of a female baby being born.

Realizing eco-friendly, long-term, and low-risk aphid control on Lycium barbarum (medicinal cash crop) using a Cynanchum komarovii extracts and eucalyptus oil-loaded microcapsules (EOMCs) formulation compositions is viable. In this study, the aim is to optimize the composition of Cynanchum komarovii extracts and EOMCs formulation for effective control of aphids, the release of EOMCs was controlled by changing the cross-linking degree of the shell to match the aphid control characteristics of Cynanchum komarovii extracts. Four types of polyamines were used as cross-linking agents for the preparation of EOMCs by interfacial polymerization. The bioactivity, wettability, and field application efficacy of Cynanchum komarovii extracts and different EOMCs formulation compositions were evaluated. These EOMCs exhibited an encapsulation efficiency exceeding 85 %. The control efficiency of the formulation compositions of microcapsules with a moderate release rate and Cynanchum komarovii extracts on aphids remained at 62.86 %, while the control efficiency of the combination of microcapsules with the fastest and slowest rates with Cynanchum komarovii extracts was only 48.62 % and 57.11 %, respectively. The formulation compositions of Cynanchum komarovii extracts with all four types of EOMCs were found to be safe for Chinese wolfberry plants. Overall, by selecting appropriate polyamines during fabrication, the release rate can be effectively controlled to achieve sustainable and low-risk aphid control in Lycium barbarum through compounding with selected microcapsules.

Background: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has revolutionized infertility treatment, leading to a surge in ART-conceived children. Despite its success, ART-born offspring face higher risks of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). The mechanisms behind these outcomes remain unclear, partly attributed to multiple embryo transfers. Recent advancements advocate single blastocyst transfers for improved outcomes. However, the influence of blastocyst quality and development speed on neonatal outcomes is underexplored. Objective: This study investigated whether blastocyst development speed and quality affect singleton birthweight when the blastocyst is selected for single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT). Methods: Data from patients who performed an FBT cycle at our center from July 2011 to June 2021 were collected and analyzed. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 420 single FBT cycles were assessed. The women were divided into four groups, Group A (day 5, good-quality blastocysts), Group B (day 5, nongood-quality blastocysts), Group C (day 6, good-quality blastocysts), and Group D (day 6, non-good-quality blastocysts) according to the developmental speed and quality of the transferred blastocyst. Results: The birthweight was relatively the highest in Group A, which developed rapidly and transferred good quality blastocysts. However, no significant difference existed among the groups (P>0.05). The prevalence of premature birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), or high birth weight (HBW) was similar among the four groups (P > 0.05). No correlation existed between birth weight and blastocyst development speed or quality after adjusting for possible confounders (P > 0.05 respectively). However, the difference in the proportion of males born among the four groups was significant, especially in Group D, which was significantly lower than that in Group A (adjusted odds ratio = 0.461, 95% confidence interval: 0.230–0.921, P < 0.05). Conclusions: This retrospective cohort study suggests that the combined effect of blastocyst development speed and quality on neonatal birthweight is insignificant. The transfer of slow-growing, non-good-quality blastocysts increases the chance of a female baby being born. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]