In vitro human embryos culture depends largely on the atmospheric conditions within the incubators of the laboratory. The pH of culture media, an indirect reflection of the CO2 content inside these incubators, is a critical parameter. Collaboration between the biochemistry and reproductive biology departments enabled the automated measurement of the pH in the culture medium on a blood gas analyzer. This method has been validated and evaluated. It is applicable in all laboratories whatever the medium and the conditions of culture. It allows strict monitoring of this parameter for the optimization of the culture conditions necessary to improve the results of in vitro fertilization attempts.
Keywords: ISO 15189 standard; IVF; accreditation; embryology; metrology; pH.