title: Embryo culture media and neonatal birthweight following IVF.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infants conceived from IVF are at increased risk for low birthweight. Animal studies suggest that embryo culture medium influences birthweight but it is unknown whether this association exists in humans. This study examines the relationship between culture medium and birthweight following IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified all IVF cycles with start dates between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2008 that used autologous oocytes with resulting embryos cultured in G1.3, Global or G1.5 medium. The population was restricted to singleton deliveries following Day 3, fresh single embryo transfer, or twin deliveries following Day 3, fresh double embryo transfer, at a gestational age of ≥ 34 weeks. Only the first cycle during the study period was included for each woman. Women were excluded if the number of gestational sacs on ultrasound differed from the number of infants born. Variables were evaluated with the χ²-test or analysis of variance. Multiple linear regressions controlled for potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 198 women with singleton deliveries, 102 embryos were cultured in G1.3, 53 in Global and 43 in G1.5 medium. Of the 303 twin deliveries, 172 pairs of embryos were cultured in G1.3, 58 in Global and 73 in G1.5 medium. No significant association between culture medium and birthweight was observed, even when controlling for potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective study demonstrated no significant association between embryo culture medium and birthweight following IVF. Although our careful selection of patients minimized the influence of potential confounders, further research is required to elucidate this issue with larger numbers of patients.
authors: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. jennifer-eaton@fsm.northwestern.edu
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Eaton
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Lieberman
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Stearns
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Chinchilla
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Racowsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004477:Ectogenesis; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D056826:Single Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media