Controlled comparison of commercial media for human in-vitro fertilization: Menezo B2 medium versus Medi-Cult universal and BM1 medium

For many years, we have been using Menezo B2 medium in our human in-vitro f ertilization (IVF) programme. Menezo B2 contains bovine serum albumin, whic h has in the meantime become less popular. The search for a valid alternati ve has therefore been initiated. In a first study from December 1993 to Jun e 1994, we compared Menezo B2 medium to Medi-Cult (Medi-Cult Universal IVF medium). In this auto-controlled study, sibling oocytes cultured in Menezo B2 showed a normal fertilization rate similar to that for those cultured in Medi-Cult: 62.9 +/- 33.3 and 61.0 =/- 33.0% respectively (NS; paired t-tes t). In a second auto-controlled study Conducted from November 1995 to March 1996, we compared Menezo B2 to BM1 (Ellios Bio-Media) medium. The normal f ertilization rate in the sibling oocytes was similar for those cultured in Menezo B2 and in BM1: 66.9 +/- 27.5 versus 62.0 +/- 31.7% (NS; paired t-tes t), After further culture of the fertilized oocytes, no difference was appa rent in either study as regards the morphological characteristics of the em bryos cultured in the different media. The speed of development, however, d id differ. In both studies, we observed a higher proportion of the embryos reaching at least the three- to four-cell stage at similar to 41 h post-ins emination in Menezo B2 medium than in either Medi-Cult or BM1, As regards t he implantation potency of the embryos obtained in the different media, dat a were collected from the non-randomized transfers. These data indicate no difference between the media tested. This study indicates that the three co mmercial media with a different composition are equally able to sustain fer tilization and embryo development until transfer.