Sequential versus Monophasic Media Impact Trial (SuMMIT): a paired randomized controlled trial comparing a sequential media system to a monophasic medium

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether sequential or monophasic media is the more optimal formulation for blastocyst development and sustained implantation rates (SIR) in IVF.

Design: Paired randomized controlled trials.

Setting: Academic.

Patient(s): Infertile couples (N = 192) with female partner ≤42 years old and normal ovarian reserve.

Intervention(s): Fertilized zygotes from each patient were randomly divided into two groups: [1] cultured in sequential media and [2] cultured in monophasic medium. Sequential media consisted of Quinn's Advantage Cleavage Medium (SAGE) followed by Blast Assist (Origio). The monophasic medium used was Continuous Single Culture (Irvine Scientific). Paired ETs were accomplished by transferring the best euploid blastocyst from each media group. DNA fingerprinting was used to link outcomes.

Main outcome measure(s): The primary outcome measure was the proportion of blastocysts suitable for clinical use. Secondary outcome measures included timing of blastulation, aneuploidy rates, and SIR. Sustained implantation rate is defined as the number fetal heart beats at 8-9 weeks of gestation, divided by the number of embryos transferred.

Result(s): A total of 192 patients had their 2PN embryos (N = 2,257) randomized to each culture system. Sequential media had higher blastulation rate than monophasic medium (55.2% vs. 46.9%). No differences were found in the day of blastulation or aneuploidy rate. Of the 168 patients who had euploid blastocysts suitable for transfer, 126 completed a paired ET. Among the double ETs, there was no difference in implantation between groups.

Conclusion(s): This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine paired euploid transfers of sibling zygotes cultured in sequential versus monophasic media. This study demonstrates that the usable blastocyst rate is greatest after culture in the sequential media tested in comparison with the monophasic formulation selected for study. However, no difference exists in timing of blastulation, aneuploidy, or SIR. Whether these observations are generalizable to other media systems remains to be determined.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT01917240.

Keywords: Embryo culture; culture media; embryo development; in vitro fertilization; media for IVF.