title: Human serum albumin versus serum: a comparative study on embryo transfer medium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study has examined the efficacy of human albumin as a replacement for serum in embryo transfer (ET) medium.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized study, 224 cycles were analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: in group A, embryos were transferred in 75% serum; in group B, in 8% serum; and in group C, 2.25% human serum albumin (HSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  All the ETs were performed in patients from the in vitro fertilization program of the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 194 patients, 224 ETs were performed. The patients were selected when they had at least one good-quality embryo.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Use of albumin in culture medium resulted in higher pregnancy rates (PRs). To further simplify the procedure, albumin was also used in ET medium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall PR of 43% in group A, 27% in group B, and 36% in group C was achieved. No significant difference was observed in PRs between three different transfer media.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that HSA is a safe and suitable replacement for serum, both in embryo culture and in the transfer medium.
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staessen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devroey
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Van Steirteghem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood; D003470:Culture Media; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012709:Serum Albumin
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012709:Serum Albumin