Low versus high volume of culture medium during embryo transfer: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics 2018-04, Vol.35 (4), p.693-699
• Main Authors: Sigalos, George Α., Michalopoulos, Yannis, Kastoras, Athanasios G., Triantafyllidou, Olga, Vlahos, Nikos F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Assisted Reproduction Technologies; Clinical trials; Culture Media; Embryo Culture Techniques - methods; Embryo Implantation; Embryo transfer; Embryo Transfer - methods; Embryos; Female; Fertilization in Vitro - methods; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Humans; Implantation; In vitro fertilization; Infertility, Female - therapy; Medical instruments; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate; Prospective Studies; Randomization; Reproductive Medicine; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1058-0468; 1573-7330
• DOI: 10.1007/s10815-017-1099-8

Purpose The aim of this prospective randomized control trial was to evaluate if the use of two different volumes (20–25 vs 40–45 μl) of media used for embryo transfer affects the clinical outcomes in fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Methods In total, 236 patients were randomized in two groups, i.e., “low volume” group ( n  = 118) transferring the embryos with 20–25 μl of medium and “high volume” group ( n  = 118) transferring the embryos with 40–45 μl of medium. The clinical pregnancy, implantation, and ongoing pregnancy rates were compared between the two groups. Results No statistically significant differences were observed in clinical pregnancy (46.8 vs 54.3%, p  = 0.27), implantation (23.7 vs 27.8%, p  = 0.30), and ongoing pregnancy (33.3 vs 40.0%, p  = 0.31) rates between low and high volume group, respectively. Conclusion Higher volume of culture medium to load the embryo into the catheter during embryo transfer does not influence the clinical outcome in fresh IVF cycles. Trial registration number: NCT03350646