title: Comparison of synthetic serum substitute and fetal cord serum as media supplements for in vitro fertilization: a prospective, randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the value of synthetic serum substitute and fetal cord serum (FCS) as protein supplements in the media used for IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized study of 45 patients undergoing IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private infertility practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The protein supplement for use in IVF medium was randomized prospectively to synthetic serum substitute or FCS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oocyte fertilization rate, incidence of embryo arrest, number of embryos transferred, ongoing pregnancy rate, and implantation rate were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the fertilization rate, incidence of embryo arrest, number of embryos transferred, ongoing pregnancy rate, and implantation rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Synthetic serum substitute is a better alternative to FCS as a protein supplement for IVF because of its availability and cost effectiveness. Synthetic serum substitute can be used in culture medium for sperm washing, insemination, culture, and transfer translating to decreased technician time without a significant difference in fertilization, pregnancy, or implantation rate.
authors.affiliation: Fertility Center of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dugan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shalika
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Padilla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001802:Blood Substitutes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D001802:Blood Substitutes