COMPARISON OF SYNTHETIC SERUM SUBSTITUTE AND FETAL CORD SERUM AS AS MEDIA SUPPLEMENTS FOR IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION - A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED STUDY

Objective: To compare the value of synthetic serum substitute and feta l cord serum (FCS) as protein supplements in the media used for IVF. D esign: Prospective, randomized study of 45 patients undergoing IVF. Se tting: Private infertility practice. Intervention(s): The protein supp lement for use in IVF medium was randomized prospectively to synthetic serum substitute or FCS. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte fertilizatio n rate, incidence of embryo arrest, number of embryos transferred, ong oing pregnancy rate, and implantation rate were assessed. Result(s): T here was no significant difference in the fertilization rate, incidenc e of embryo arrest, number of embryos transferred, ongoing pregnancy r ate, and implantation rate. Conclusion(s): Synthetic serum substitute is a better alternative to FCS as a protein supplement for IVF because of its availability and cost effectiveness. Synthetic serum substitut e can be used in culture medium for sperm washing, insemination, cultu re, and transfer translating to decreased technician time without a si gnificant difference in fertilization, pregnancy, or implantation rate .