Project R-11951

Validation of the Walking Egg in vitro embryo culture system with application in a mobile laboratory setup. (Research)

The access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the public sector of South Africa will be investigated in this project to determine the demographical profile of patients undergoing diagnostic ART investigations only vs. those who return for therapeutic ART procedures. Secondly, the setting up and application of a "The Walking Egg" (tWE) ART laboratory will be performed. In this section, the embryo development and utilization rates, as well as clinical pregnancies, from the tWE laboratory will be investigated. Thirdly, the design, contracting of assembly and roll-out of a mobile tWE laboratory will be undertaken, providing an alternative, more accessible, manner of providing ART services. The intention of this study is to validate and extend the use of tWE in vitro embryo culture system in the South African context. A much-needed increase in access to ART services can follow, though the use of a mobile laboratory setup.

16 October 2021 - 31 December 2023