#154 : The Creation of a New Embryo Culture Medium with 31 Optimal Components Derived from Human Oviduct Fluid: A Prospective Multicenter Randomised Trial

Abstract

Background and Aims: Although culture conditions were recognized as key points, an optimal culture medium formulation, which closely resembles natural human oviduct fluid (HOF), has not been obtained yet. Our aim is to make an ideal embryo culture medium close to HOF components, and to evaluate the quality of this medium with embryo quality and clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) by a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT). Method: Study I: HOF was collected laparoscopically from patients (n = 28) with normal pelvic findings. According to HOF analysis results, the new medium ‘OVIT’ was designed. Study II: Embryos (2 pronuclei (2PN) = 9,633) were assigned from 1,435 patients. The blastulation rate (BR), good BR (gBR), utilized (transferred/cryo-preserved) BR (uBR), pregnancy rate (PR), and miscarriage rate (MR) were compared between the OVIT and control groups by RCT. Study III: The neonatal healthiness who were concepted by ART using OVIT and /or control medium was compared between two groups. Results: The novel medium ‘OVIT’ was produced according to 31 HOF components. The concentrations of essential amino acids (e-AAs) were lower in OVIT than in current media, yet the opposite was true for non-e-AA concentrations. gBR and uBR were higher in the OVIT group than in the control group. In the older female group, gBT and uBR were significantly higher in the OVIT group. The neonatal conditions of those who were born by ART using OVIT and/or control medium were similar. Conclusion: HOF components and AA concentrations were analysed, and the results indicated numerous differences between OVIT and current media. This medium provides a better culture condition and improves embryo quality. This study has found novel perspectives for older patients having difficulties in producing embryos of good quality and indicated the superior quality of OVIT compared with the quality of traditional media.