Does the Volume of the Embryo Culture Medium During Embryo Transfer Affects the IVF Outcomes?

Low Versus High Volume of Culture Medium During Embryo Transfer: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if higher volume (40-45μl VS 20-25 μl) of media used for embryo transfer affects the clinical outcomes in fresh IVF cycles.Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study, were randomized, on the day of the embryo transfer, into group A: low volume (20-25 μL) and group B: high volume (40-45 μL)

The volume of culture medium used for embryo transfer is a variable that has been speculated to affect the IVF outcome. It is known that ultra high volume (>100 μl) of medium during embryo transfer may result in embryo expulsion out of the uterus or ectopic pregnancy. Similarly, some authors advocate that ultra low volume of transferring medium (<10 μl) may negatively affect pregnancy and implantation rates.

However small differences in the volume of the culture medium may favor the outcome of the embryo transfer. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the use higher volume (40-45μl VS 20-25 μl) of media used for embryo transfer affects the clinical outcomes in fresh IVF cycles.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≤ 45y.o.
2. BMI≤36 kg/m2,
3. Baseline FSH concentration <15 IU/l,
4. Ovarian stimulation with the same GnRH antagonist protocol
5. Normal uterine cavity with endometrium thickness >7mm and trilaminar morphology at the Time of transfer and semen
6. Parameters of >1 million /ml motile spermatozoa with >4% physiological morphology -

Exclusion Criteria:

1. PGD cycles

2. Frozen -thaw cycles

3. Natural cycles or patients following different ovarian stimulation protocol were excluded from the study

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