Does EmbryoGlue transfer medium affect embryo transfer success rate?

OBJECTIVE

Verification of the effect of EmbryoGlue (EG) transfer medium enriched with hyaluronan on the embryo transfer success rate.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

Fertimed, Fertility Treatment Centre, Olomouc.

METHODS

484 patients undergoing IVF + ET were engaged who were divided according to the medium used during transfer: Sage or Vitrolife culture medium (n = 135) and EG transfer medium (n = 349). The influence of other factors was also evaluated: age, number of received oocytes, percentage of fertilised oocytes, endometrium height on the day of transfer, number of preserved embryos, number of transferred embryos and the length of cultivation (48, 72, 96, 120 h). These factors were considered quantitative variables while the method of hormone stimulation, the type of culture medium and the application of EG were considered qualitative (categorical) variables.

RESULTS

With the use of EG the chances of conception increased by approximately 9%. The negative effect of higher age on implantation proportion and the positive effect of cultivation prolongation were proven. The effect of EG on miscarriages was not proven. The probability of miscarriage diminished with higher oocyte fertilisation. The culture medium used (Sage or Vitrolife) before the application of EG does not affect the gravidity result.

CONCLUSION

Using the transfer medium of EmbryoGlue before embryo transfer affects the pregnancy rate (PR) in a positive manner. The influence on pregnancy loss with the application of EG was not proven.