Time-lapse imaging systems in IVF laboratories: a French national survey.

Purpose: Although the clinical value of time-lapse imaging (TLI) systems in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is still debated, its prevalence worldwide seems to be expanding. The situation of TLI in the USA has been recently surveyed, but these results might not be transposable to other countries with different IVF regulation and funding such as France. This study evaluated the TLI situation in French IVF laboratories.
Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey was sent by email to 210 embryologists in September and October 2017. Laboratories, demographics, TLI clinical use, purchasing plan, and embryologists' opinions were analyzed using logistic regression to calculate odds ratio.
Results: Of the 210 lab directors surveyed, 78 responded (37.1%), 43 (55%) working in private IVF laboratories and 35 (45%) in public hospitals. Thirty (38.5%) were TLI users. The odds of TLI possession were not statistically different according to laboratory sector or size. Most embryologists (n = 21, 70%) used TLI for unselected patients. Cost was the main reason given by non-users for not implementing TLI (n = 24, 50%). Most respondents were convinced that TLI is superior to standard morphology (n = 52, 73.2%) and that TLI improves culture conditions (n = 62, 84.9%). However, half (n = 39, 54.9%) indicated that evidence was still lacking to assert TLI clinical usefulness.
Conclusion: The prevalence of TLI systems and embryologists' opinion in France was slightly different from the American situation. The different regulation and funding policy might account for some differences in terms of TLI use and perception.