title: The Effects of ISM1 Medium on Embryo Quality and Outcomes of IVF/ICSI Cycles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ISM1 culture medium on embryo development, quality and outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles. This study compares culture medium commonly used in the laboratory setting for oocyte recovery and embryo development with a medium from MediCult. We have assessed the effects of these media on embryo development and newborn characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective randomized study, fertilized oocytes from patients were randomly assigned to culture in ISM1 (MediCult, cycles: n=293) or routine lab culture medium (G-1TM v5; Vitrolife, cycles: n=290) according to the daily media schedule for oocyte retrieval. IVF or ICSI and embryo transfer were performed with either MediCult media or routine lab media. Embryo quality on days 2/3, cleavage, pregnancy and implantation rates, baby take home rate (BTHR), in addition to the weight and length of newborns were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were similar cleavage rates for ISM1 (86%) vs. G-1TM v5 (88%). We observed a significantly higher percentage of excellent embryos in ISM1 (42.7%) compared to G-1TM v5 (39%, p<0.05). Babies born after culture in ISM1 had both higher birth weight (3.03 kg) and length (48.8 cm) compared to G-1TM v5 babies that had a birth weight of 2.66 kg and a length of 46.0 cm (p<0.001 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that ISM1 is a more effective culture medium in generating higher quality embryos, which may be reflected in the characteristics of babies at birth.
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Hassani
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Poopak
authors: P
authors: Eftekhari-Yazdi
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Karimian
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mojtaba
authors: M
authors: Rezazadeh Valojerdi
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Bahar
authors: B
authors: Movaghar
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Fazel
authors: Department of Embryology at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hamid Reza
authors: HR
authors: Fouladi
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Reproductive Health at Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Shabani
authors: Codra Centre for Assisted Reproduction, Podgorica, Montenegro.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Johansson
keywords: Babies’ lengths; Birth Weight; Culture Media; Embryo; Quality