An auto-controlled prospective comparison of two embryos culture media (G III series versus ISM) for IVF and ICSI treatments

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 2 different media on embryo morphology and development at days 2/3. METHOD: Six hundred seventy-six attempts from 512 couples were included in this prospective auto-controlled study. Sibling oocytes of all couples undergoing an IVF (n = 286) or ICSI (n = 390) attempt were randomly assigned to either GIII series (Vitrolife) or ISM (Medicult) media. Primary end points were fertilization and embryo morphology rates. RESULTS: Fertilization rates in GIII series and ISM (IVF: 59.9 vs 62.0% and ICSI: 65.7 vs 66.8%) respectively were not different. GIII series showed an increase, compared to ISM, of early cleavage rate, (IVF: 25.8 vs 16.2% (p = 0.005); ICSI: 40.8 vs 25.5% (p < 0.0001), and good embryo morphology rate at day 2 [IVF: 64.6 vs 57.3% (p = 0.01); ICSI: 74.2 vs 69.4 (p = 0.03)] and at day 3 [IVF: 57.5 vs 49.0% (p = 0.02); ICSI: 67.2 vs 61.6% (p = 0.01)]. CONCLUSIONS: Embryo morphology at days 2/3 was significantly enhanced when the embryos were cultured in GIII series.