Glucose-free medium in human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a large-scale, prospective, randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether excluding glucose from the culture medium used in a clinical IVF program improves human embryo quality and pregnancy rates.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Clinical assisted conception laboratory in a large teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seven hundred forty-one patients undergoing IVF-ET.


METHODS
Embryos were cultured from the pronucleate stage to ET in medium with glucose for patients in the control group and without glucose for patients in the trial group.


METHODS
Comparison of embryo quality and pregnancy rates between the two groups.


RESULTS
Embryo quality was enhanced with the use of glucose-free medium but pregnancy rates were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Although pregnancy rates remained similar in the two groups, a reduction in the glucose concentration of the medium used for embryo culture from the pronucleate stage to ET on day 2 or 3 is prudent.
Coates
A
A
Reproductive Medicine Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. alcoates@ulth.northy.nhs.uk
Rutherford
A J
AJ
Hunter
H
H
Leese
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D003470:Culture Media; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003470:Culture Media; D005947:Glucose