Evaluation of a transfer medium containing high concentration of hyaluronan in human in vitro fertilization

Objective: To examine whether a high concentration 14 recombinant hyaluronan in the embryo transfer (ET.) medium can influence pregnancy rate's in humans. Design: Retrospective, matched group study. Setting: Private and university hospital in vitro fertilization (IVF) units. Patient(s): Couples undergoing, IVF intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were divided in two groups. In group 1 (402 patients), ET was performed with an ET medium containing a high concentration of recombinant hyaluronan in the presence of recombinant, human albumin (HSA). In group 2 (425 couples), ET was performed with a medium containing a lower concentration of hyaluronan. and HSA. Intervention(s): IVF and ICSI. Main Outcome Measure(s): The two groups were compared for pregnancy rates according to the women's age, the technique used (IVF or ICSI), the number of embryos transferred, and the day of ET. Result(s): Between the two groups no statistically significantly difference's were observed in the total pregnancy rates after IVF or ICSI. Similarly the pregnancy rates did not differ between the two groups when subdivided according to the woman's age, the number of embryos transferred (one to four), or the day of ET (2, 3, or 5 after oocyte pick up). Conclusion(s): The use of an ET medium with a high concentration of hyaluronan does not appear to have any statistically significant effect on pregnancy rates.