The Effects of Embryo Culture Media on the Birthweight of Singletons Via Fresh or Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer: a Large-scale Retrospective Study

Overview

Journal BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2016 Sep 20

PMID 27643856

Citations 7

Authors

Fang Gu

Mingfen Deng

Jun Gao

Zilian Wang

Chenhui Ding

Yanwen Xu

Canquan Zhou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Embryo culture media used for IVF treatment might affect fetal growth and thus birthweight of the newborns.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in South China using data from 2370 singleton neonates born after IVF/ICSI between 2009 and 2012. Two culture media, i.e., either Vitrolife or SAGE were used as embryo culture media during the study period. Neonates' birthweights were compared between the two embryo culture media groups.

Results: Among the 2370 singletons, 1755 cases came from fresh cleavage embryo transfer while 615 were from frozen-thawed cleavage embryo transfer. Within the fresh embryo transfer newborns, no statistical difference was observed in either birthweight (mean ± SD: 3196.0 ± 468.9 versus 3168.4 ± 462.0g, p > 0.05) or adjusted birthweight controlled for gestational age and gender (z-score mean ± SD: 0.11 ± 1.02 versus 0.11 ± 0.99 g, P > 0.05) between the Vitrolife (n = 419) and the SAGE group (n = 1336). Likewise within frozen embryo transfer neotates, no statistical difference of the birthweight (3300.6 ± 441.3 vs.3256.0 ± 466.7 g, P > 0.05) and adjusted birthweight (0.30 ± 0.99 g versus 0.29 ± 0.97 g, P > 0.05) was found between the Vitrolife (n = 202) and the SAGE group (n = 413). The sex ratio [OR1.17, 95 % CI (0.94-1.46)/OR1.1, 95 % CI (0.78-1.54)], rate of small for gestational age [OR1.14, 95 % CI (0.82-1.59)/OR1.06, 95 % CI (0.56-2.02)] and large for gestational age [OR1.07, 95 % CI (0.64-1.76)/OR0.98, 95 % CI (0.47-2.02)] in fresh and frozen-thawed subgourps are all comparable respectively between the two culture media. No group differences were found in the rate of low birthweight and macosomia. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that maternal weight, gestational age, frozen-thawed embryo transfer and infant gender were significantly related to neonatal birthweight (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: It appears that embryos cultured in SAGE or Vitrolife media after fresh or frozen-thawed cleavage embryo transfer did not affect neonate's birthweight.

Citing Articles

Do IVF culture conditions have an impact on neonatal outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sonigo C, Ahdad-Yata N, Pirtea P, Solignac C, Grynberg M, Sermondade N J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024; 41(3):563-580.

PMID: 38246922 PMC: 10957805. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03020-0.

Association of duration of embryo culture with risk of large for gestational age delivery in cryopreserved embryo transfer cycles.

Pier B, Roshong A, Santoro N, Sammel M Fertil Steril. 2024; 121(5):814-823.

PMID: 38185197 PMC: 11488678. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.01.002.

Culture medium is associated with the risks of placenta previa and macrosomia in pregnancies after in vitro fertilization.

Zheng Y, Dong X, Sui C, Zhang S, Yao J, Jin L Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022; 306(1):239-247.

PMID: 35224651 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06443-1.

Albumin used in human IVF contain different levels of lipids and modify embryo and fetal growth in a mouse model.

Zander-Fox D, Villarosa L, McPherson N J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021; 38(9):2371-2381.

PMID: 34114110 PMC: 8490560. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02255-5.

Embryo Culture Media Influence on Live Birth Rate and Birthweight after IVF/ICSI: A Systematic Review Comparing Vitrolife G5 Media to Other Common Culture Media.

Bick L, Nielsen A, Breth Knudsen U JBRA Assist Reprod. 2021; 25(3):480-492.

PMID: 33710837 PMC: 8312284. DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20200099.

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