Role of Embryo Glue as a transfer medium in the outcome of fresh non-donor in-vitro fertilization cycles

Abstract

Background: EmbryoGlue is a hyaluronan-enriched embryo transfer (ET) medium which aids in implantation of embryos, hence, improves pregnancy rates in in-vitro fertilization-ET cycles (IVF-ET). Aim: To evaluate the role of EmbryoGlue in improving implantation and pregnancy rates. Design and Setting: A prospective case-control study conducted at assisted reproductive center of a tertiary care hospital. Method: In 42 women undergoing IVF, embryos were transferred into 50 μL of EmbryoGlue for 10 min prior to transfer inside uterine cavity. In the control group (n = 42), embryos were transferred to conventional blastocyst culture medium. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS IBM version 19.0. Results: Clinical pregnancy rate in the study group was 7% higher than the control group. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. In addition, no improvement in implantation rates was observed in the study group. However, significant difference (P = 0.04) in clinical pregnancy rate was observed with the EmbryoGlue in patients with previous IVF failure. In the study group, 50% patients (6/12) with previous IVF failure had successful implantation, but in the control group none of the patients (0/11) with previous implantation failure could achieve pregnancy. Conclusion: It is difficult to conclude a favourable role of EmbryoGlue in IVF-ET cycles with a good prognosis. However, in patients with recurrent implantation failure, it may be considered as a useful transfer medium.

Keywords

• Embryo transfer
• hyaluronan
• implantation
• in-vitro fertilization
• pregnancy
• recurrent implantation failure