Institut Marquès has been awarded at the «Société de Médecine de la Reproduction» as well as at the «Irish Fertility Society» Congresses

Last May Institut Marquès’ researchers successfully presented the results of our studies at several congresses worldwide. Among the awards they received, the recognitions given by the French “Societé de Médecine de la Reproduction” and the “Irish Fertility Society” are especially relevant.

On the 18^th of May, we presented our communication “The atmospheric pollution diminishes the blastocysts rate in IVF cycles”. This study obtained the third prize on the competition for the best scientific contribution at the “Societé de Médecine de la Reproduction” Congress, in Montpellier. The study shows how atmospheric pollution adversely impacts on In Vitro Fertilisation.

The volatile organic compounds (VOC) are chemical substances containing carbon and other elements like sulphur or nitrogen. These VOC come from paints, solvents, varnishes or cosmetics as well as from fuel burning. They remain in the atmosphere as gases and usually settle in fatty mediums. The culture mediums for the embryos are covered in oils, fatty elements that attract those volatile organic compounds turning them embryo toxic, which is harmful for the embryos.

There is a firm consensus that the volatile organic compounds are harmful. This is why, normally, there are special filters and preventive protocols in all IVF laboratories. However, once the volatile organic compounds are removed, there are no studies on the influence of other atmospheric pollutants.

Research to analyse those elements

This is the reason why at Institut Marquès we have started a research line in order to analyse those elements inside our laboratories.

Regarding the communication on the Embryomobile presented at the Irish Fertility Society Congress, it was awarded as the most interesting scientific contribution of the congress.  This innovative application developed by Institut Marquès, helps our patients to deal with the anxiety that they may suffer during the laboratory phase of an IVF cycle. .

This usually happens because the patients do not know what is going on with their embryos. The Embryomobile allows both the biologists and the parents-to-be, to observe in real time the development of their embryos inside the incubator. This incubator is actually the Embryoscope, an innovative technology that maintains the in vitro conditions required by the embryos. Furthermore, it has a camera that captures the embryo development in images.