The Effect of Two Different Embryo Culture Media on Birthweight of the Offspring

Purpose:To investigate the effect of medium type on neonatal birthweight in singleton, term infants conceived following assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods:The records of 352 patients who gave birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment from January to December 2014 in the Eurofertil IVF Center using a time-lapse embryo culture system were analyzed.Data analysis was performed using two available culture media: Vitrolife (n=267) and MediCult (n=85). Results:The mean birthweight of the infants from Vitrolife cultures was 3006 grams, though it was 3128 grams for the offspring from MediCult (p=0.154).There was no significant difference between neonates born using either medium in terms of birthweight. Conclusion:There was no association between neonatal birthweight after ART and the in vitro embryo culture media used in this population.These findings are important in order to assess human embryo in vitro culture safety.To evaluate if culture media affects prenatal outcome and development, more randomized, controlled studies would be needed.