Conservation of human embryos in straws: safety in terms of human immunodeficiency virus 1

Objective. – The possibility of offering assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to HIV-positive couples has revived questions concerning the safety of the gametes and embryos cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen tanks.Patients and methods. – We evaluated the safety of three types of straws — polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and so-called ‘high-security’ ionomeric resin (IR) — containing HIV-1 under standard conditions of cryopreservation. Potential HIV contamination was assessed by RT-PCR and then nested PCR.Results. – Under cryopreservation conditions, the sealed open ends of PVC and PETG straws were not safe. The ultrasound sealing system seems to be the weak link in obtaining total imperviousness of the straws. In contrast, both ends of the IR straws were safe for HIV in the framework of their use for ART.Conclusion. – Sealing cryopreservation straws ultrasonically could incur the risk of not assuring their impermeability. Under standard cryopreservation conditions thermosealing of IR straws appears to be safe for HIV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]