title: Blastocyst Development in a Single Medium Compared to Sequential Media: A Prospective Study With Sibling Oocytes.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare blastocyst formation rates after embryo culture in a single medium (Global) as compared to sequential media (ISM1/BlastAssist). In this prospective trial with sibling oocytes, 542 metaphase II (ΜΙΙ) oocytes from 31 women were randomly and equally divided to be fertilized and cultured to the blastocyst stage in either sequential media (ISM1/BlastAssist; n = 271 MII oocytes) or a single medium (Global; n = 271 MII oocytes). In both groups, embryos were cultured in an interrupted fashion with media changes on day 3. Embryo transfer was performed on day 5. Blastocyst formation rates on day 5 (61.7% ± 19.9% vs 37.0% ± 25.5%, P < .001) were significantly higher following culture in Global as compared to ISM1/BlastAssist, respectively. Fertilization rates, cleavage rates, and percentage of good quality embryos on day 3 were similar between Global and ISM1/BlastAssist, respectively. The percentages of good quality blastocysts (63.0% ± 24.8% vs 32.1% ± 37.2%, P < .001), blastocysts selected for transfer (27.8% ± 19.2% vs 11.1% ± 14.4%, P = .005), and utilization rates (62.5% ± 24.8% vs 39.0% ± 25.2%, P < .001) were significantly higher in Global as compared to ISM1/BlastAssist, respectively. In conclusion, culture in Global was associated with higher blastocyst formation rates compared to ISM1/BlastAssist, suggesting that the single medium may provide better support to the developing embryo.
authors.affiliation: 1 Eugonia Assisted Reproduction Unit, Athens, Greece.|2 Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Ioannis A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sfontouris
authors.affiliation: 3 Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Efstratios M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kolibianakis
authors.affiliation: 1 Eugonia Assisted Reproduction Unit, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Lainas
authors.affiliation: 1 Eugonia Assisted Reproduction Unit, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Petsas
authors.affiliation: 3 Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Basil C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Tarlatzis
authors.affiliation: 1 Eugonia Assisted Reproduction Unit, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Trifon G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lainas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst; D003470:Culture Media; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D035781:Siblings
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media
keywords: Global; Origio; blastocyst formation; embryo culture; sequential media; single media