title: Comparison of two sequential media for culturing cleavage-stage embryos and blastocysts: embryo characteristics and clinical outcome.
abstract: This study was undertaken to compare the outcome of day 3, day 5, and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles where embryo culture was undertaken using the G1.2-G2.2 versus GIII series sequential media. A total of 400 day 3, 73 day 5 and 126 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were analysed. Treatment cycles were quasi-randomized on the day of oocyte retrieval to embryo culture in G1.2-G2.2 versus GIII series sequential media. Randomization was undertaken according to alternating weekdays. Significantly more embryos were of grade 1 or 2 quality on day 3 in the GIII group (P < 0.05). Likewise, more embryos in the GIII group had eight blastomeres on day 3 (P < 0.05) and were able to hatch spontaneously (P < 0.05). For day 3 embryo transfer cycles, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were 14.4 and 25.7% versus 37.8 and 50.3% in G1.2-G2.2 and GIII groups respectively (P < 0.05). For day 5 embryo transfer cycles, implantation rates were significantly higher (29 versus 45%; P < 0.05) in the GIII group. There was a trend towards higher pregnancy rates; however, this did not reach statistical significance due to fewer cycles analysed in this group. In-vitro culture in GIII series sequential media yields better quality embryos that implant more efficiently, compared with culture in G1.2-G2.2 media.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Reproduction Unit, American Hospital of Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Basak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Balaban
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Urman
mesh_terms: D001755:Blastocyst; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media