IVF technology is considered one of the most useful technical and scientific procedures today for having a baby and it offers the highest chance of success per treatment cycle.
On the other hand, the success of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is contributed by many factors, which include the couples’ profile, uterine pathology, drug protocols, laboratory conditions, embryo quality and embryo transfer technique.
Implantation of the embryo remains the key factor for IVF success. For implantation to occur, a genetically normal blastocyst (day 5 embryo) should attach and invade a well-synchronized endometrium, under the influence of Oestrogen and Progesterone hormones.
However, repeated implantation failure despite of transfer of good-quality embryos continues to be a dilemma. Since the beginning of IVF trials, multiple research projects were done in an attempt to increase the success rate for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
Several interventions and techniques are suggested to improve the outcome of embryo transfer in assisted conception. Using hyaluronan-rich transfer media is one of the recommended add-ons to increase the success.
As its name suggests, EmbryoGlue is claimed to increase the rate at which embryos implant or stick to the uterus after transfer.
What is embryo glue?
Traditionally, the medium that is used for embryo transfer has been similar or identical to the solution used for growing the embryos. However, the introduction of EmbryoGlue is purported to bring about a moderate increase in the rate at which embryos implant after transfer.
There may be several important points to the use of EmbryoGlue. The key component is an enzyme called hyaluronan, which has been shown to increase rates of implantation and fetal development in humans. Hyaluronan is naturally found enzyme in follicular fluids, the fallopian tubes and the uterus, so it is thought to provide a more ‘natural’ environment for the embryos. Hyaluronan production in the uterus is at its highest at the time of embryo implantation, and the enzyme promotes cell to cell contact between the embryo and the uterus. It also dilates the uterine blood vessels, increasing blood supply to the uterus. Lastly, hyaluronan is a viscous sticky solution that more closely resembles the natural secretions of the uterus.
This material is responsible for preparing the uterus to receive the fetus just before implantation and during incubation. It also contains other nutrients such as albumin, water and bicarbonates, all these ingredients helps to nourish the fetus from the moment of transfer till implantation.
The success stories about embryo glue are encouraging. It’s still relatively new. Research into its benefits is continuing. But if you’ve had failed IVF attempts, or issues with implantation, we recommend using it in addition to standard IVF.
In conclusion, embryo glue seems to increase the pregnancy rate as compared to cases without using embryo glue, and it helps also in the continuity of pregnancy.
References
| 1. | Interventions to optimize embryo transfer in women undergoing assisted conception: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analyses.
Bede Tyler 1 et al. Hum Reprod Update 2022 Jun 30;28(4):480-500. PMID: 35325124 |
| 2. | The effect of hyaluronic acid in embryo transfer media in donor oocyte cycles and autologous oocyte cycles: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Devorah Heymann 1, Liat Vidal 2, Zeev Shoham 3 4, Elena Kostova 5, Marian Showell 6, Yuval Or 3 4 Hum Reprod. 2022 Jun 30;37(7):1451-1469. PMID: 35595183
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| 3. | Embryo Glue: The Use of Hyaluronan in Embryo Transfer Media.
Atkinson B, Woodland E. Semin Reprod Med. 2021 Mar;39(1-02):24-26. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1730415. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 34034352 |
| 4. | “Embryo glue” does not seem to improve chances of subsequent pregnancy in refractory in vitro fertilization cases.
Check JH, Summers-Chase D, Yuan W, Swenson K, Horwath D, Press M. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39(1):11-2. PMID: 22675945 Clinical Trial. |
| 5. | Role of Embryo Glue as a transfer medium in the outcome of fresh non-donor in-vitro fertilization cycles.
Singh N, Gupta M, Kriplani A, Vanamail P. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2015 Oct-Dec;8(4):214-7. doi: 10.4103/0974-1208.170398. PMID: 26752856 Free PMC article. |
| 6. | Add-ons in IVF programme – Hype or Hope?
Datta AK, Campbell S, Deval B, Nargund G. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2015 Dec 28;7(4):241-250. PMID: 27729969 Free PMC article. Review. |
| 7. | A narrative review of adjuvants in in vitro fertilisation: evidence for good clinical practice.
Kemp A, El-Toukhy T. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Apr;40(3):295-302. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2019.1647518. Epub 2019 Oct 29. PMID: 31661334 Review. |
| 8. | Efficacy of a human embryo transfer medium: a prospective, randomized clinical trial study.
Valojerdi MR, Karimian L, Yazdi PE, Gilani MA, Madani T, Baghestani AR. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2006 May;23(5):207-12. doi: 10.1007/s10815-006-9031-7. Epub 2006 Jun 20. PMID: 16786421 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial. |
| 9. | Effect of hyaluronic acid-enriched transfer medium on frozen-thawed embryo transfer outcomes.
Fu W, Yu M, Zhang XJ. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2018 Apr;44(4):747-755. doi: 10.1111/jog.13581. Epub 2018 Feb 14. PMID: 29442396 |
| 10. | Adjuncts in the IVF laboratory: where is the evidence for ‘add-on’ interventions?
Harper J, Jackson E, Sermon K, Aitken RJ, Harbottle S, Mocanu E, Hardarson T, Mathur R, Viville S, Vail A, Lundin K. Hum Reprod. 2017 Mar 1;32(3):485-491. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dex004. PMID: 28158511 |
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