Adherence compounds in embryo transfer media for assisted reproductive technologies

Couples who have trouble getting pregnant are able to make use of subfertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Over the years, much research has been performed to determine whether there are ways to increase the success rate of such treatments. One area of research has focused on the medium in which embryos are transferred back into the uterus. Adherence compounds have been developed which are added to the embryo transfer medium in order to increase the chances of the embryo adhering to the uterus, with a higher chance of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy newborn as a result. Many studies of these adherence compounds have been undertaken. This systematic review was performed in order to assess the effect of the addition of the adherence compounds fibrin sealant and hyaluronic acid on pregnancy outcomes. One study could be found on the adherence compound fibrin sealant and 15 studies on hyaluronic acid. There was no evidence that the addition of fibrin sealant to the embryo transfer medium improved the pregnancy outcomes. Hyaluronic acid was found to increase the chances of pregnancy but also increased the chances of multiple pregnancy, which is a less positive result. However, the live birth rate was infrequently reported and no conclusions can be made. The increased multiple pregnancy rate may be the result of improved pregnancy outcomes and the transfer of more than one embryo.