Injection of embryo culture supernatant to the endometrial cavity does not affect outcomes in IVF/ICSI or oocyte donation cycles: a randomized clinical trial

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2012 Jun;162(2):169-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.03.003. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether intrauterine injection of embryo culture supernatant before embryo transfer has any impact on pregnancy and implantation rates.

Study design: A total of 400 cycles, of which 200 IVF/ICSI and 200 oocyte donor (OD), were randomly assigned to have their uterine cavity injected (group I) or not (group II). Primary endpoints to be studied were pregnancy and implantation rates.

Results: Clinical pregnancy rate per transfer (47.87%, 90/188 versus 48.45%, 94/194) based on transvaginal scan findings at 7 weeks of gestation and implantation rate (25.6% versus 26.5%) were similar in the two groups. The day of embryo transfer, day 3 or day 5, did not affect the final outcome.

Conclusion: Injection of embryo culture supernatant into the uterine cavity, 30 min before the embryo transfer on either day 3 or 5, neither improves nor adversely affects the pregnancy rate in IVF/ICSI or oocyte donation cycles.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Culture Media, Conditioned / pharmacology
  • Embryo Culture Techniques*
  • Embryo Implantation / drug effects*
  • Embryo Transfer / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Oocyte Donation
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned