• József Bódis, Krisztina Gödöny, Ákos Várnagy, Kálmán Kovács, Miklós Koppán, Bernadett Nagy, János Erostyák, Róbert Herczeg, Julia Szekeres-Barthó, Attila Gyenesei, and Gabor L Kovács.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
• Med Princ Pract. 2020 Jan 1; 29 (6): 558-564.

PurposeEarlier findings revealed the damaging effect of visible light on zygotes and gametes. The aim of our study is to eliminate or significantly reduce the potentially harmful effects of light exposure during in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to investigate the effect of light protection on embryo development and implantation.Materials And MethodsTo protect sperm cells, oocytes, and embryos from the potential harmful effects of light exposure during laboratory procedures, we created a dark environment for the cells and applied red filters on laboratory lamps and UV or infrared filters in the microscopes in order to eliminate white light exposure of the cells throughout all work stages.ResultsThe fertilization rate was significantly (p = 0.011) higher in light-protected ICSI cycles. Blastocyst development rates (blastocyst/embryo) were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in light-protected embryos than in those manipulated in conventional light conditions both in IVF (20.9% difference) and ICSI (38.6% difference). Numbers of clinical pregnancies/transfers of ICSI fertilized day 5 blastocysts were also significantly (p = 0.040) higher in light-protected conditions.ConclusionsThese data show that light protection has a positive effect on fertilization rate and increases the blastocyst development as well as the number of clinical pregnancies/transfers. Implementation of this light protection method in IVF centers may improve the success rate while maintaining maximal embryo safety.© 2020 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.

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