EmbryoGlue® as an Embryo Transfer medium

The main aim of this study is to find out if an embryo transfer culture media (the liquid that embryos being transferred are placed into), called EmbryoGlue®, results in a higher live birth rate compared with conventional embryo transfer medium.

EmbryoGlue® has an increased viscosity compared to conventional embryo transfer medium and contains hyaluronan, a compound found in the uterus at the time of implantation.

Current studies reviewing the effectiveness of EmbryoGlue® present conflicting conclusions, with some demonstrating no beneficial effect on both pregnancy and implantation rates whilst others, including a review of a large number of studies showed that patients undergoing an embryo transfer with EmbryoGlue® had an improved pregnancy rate. This research suggested that using EmbryoGlue® may lead to improved live birth rates but as these studies were small, we do not know if using this medium will lead to a higher number of babies being born. So far we have not seen these results to be replicated within our clinic.

In this study at Oxford Fertility we aim to compare a total of 730 embryo transfers across the two groups to find out whether EmbryoGlue® has any beneficial effect compared with conventional embryo transfer medium. The study may provide information on whether EmbryoGlue® should be routinely used for all patients, a subset of patients, or whether it should be disregarded as an IVF ‘add-on.’