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Semin Reprod Med 2021; 39(01/02): 024-026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730415
Review Article

Embryo Glue: The Use of Hyaluronan in Embryo Transfer Media

Beth Atkinson
1   Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Embryology and ART, The Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
Emma Woodland
2   Molecular and Cellular Biology, Clinical Embryology, Salisbury Fertility Centre, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, United Kingdom
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Abstract

EmbryoGlue is available to patients at many in vitro fertilization clinics, usually at an additional cost. The efficacy of hyaluronan-enriched transfer medium (HETM) is supported by moderate quality evidence that indicates a significant improvement in clinical outcomes such as live birth rates for patients, including poorer prognosis women (i.e., maternal age factor [>35 years] and recurrent implantation failure). An increased multiple pregnancy rate has been reported with the use of HETM; therefore, a single embryo transfer policy should be considered in conjunction with the use of EmbryoGlue. There is no evidence to suggest that HETM has any detrimental impact, and therefore the use of HETM in clinics may be justified for a specific demographic of patients. Further robust evidence, in the form of meta-analyses or large-scale randomized controlled trials, is needed to build a sufficient consensus regarding the benefit of hyaluronan supplementation in embryo transfer media.

Keywords

EmbryoGlue - embryo transfer - hyaluronic acid - hyaluronan


Publication History

Article published online:
25 May 2021

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