Abstract
BackgroundEmbryo culture media used for IVF treatment might affect fetal growth and thus birthweight of the newborns.MethodsA 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.ResultsAmong 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).ConclusionsIt appears that embryos cultured in SAGE or Vitrolife media after fresh or frozen-thawed cleavage embryo transfer did not affect neonate’s birthweight.
Highlights
Embryo culture media used for In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment might affect fetal growth and birthweight of the newborns
Despite the high prevalence of twins and triplets associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) which contributes to the increased risk of these adverse outcomes, singletons born after ART performed worse than their naturally conceived peers [6]
Several studies showed that culture media used during IVF treatment could influence intrauterine growth and birthweight of newborns [8, 9]
Summary
Embryo culture media used for IVF treatment might affect fetal growth and birthweight of the newborns. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is thought to be associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, fetal malformation and being born small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) [1,2,3,4,5]. Despite the high prevalence of twins and triplets associated with ART which contributes to the increased risk of these adverse outcomes, singletons born after ART performed worse than their naturally conceived peers [6]. Whether embryo culture media affect fetal growth and birthweight remain inconclusive. Several studies showed that culture media used during IVF treatment could influence intrauterine growth and birthweight of newborns [8, 9]. Other research did not confirm such an adverse effect [10,11,12]
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