At the practice of Ioannis Raptis, infertility issues are managed in accordance with the guidelines of the “Frankfurt Hormone School” (Frankfurter Hormonschule) and the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most widely used method of assisted reproduction. A combination of factors—primarily the woman’s age and medical history, sperm quality, the expertise of gynecologists and embryologists, as well as the technical equipment of the assisted reproduction center—affect the overall outcome of the procedure.
The process ultimately culminates in a critical stage: embryo transfer. This is the placement of the embryo into the uterine cavity, where it is expected to implant into the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) and allow the pregnancy to progress.
An innovative product in the field of reproductive medicine, EmbryoGlue, is designed to enhance this step. According to studies, it significantly increases the likelihood of a successful IVF outcome.
EmbryoGlue is a specialized culture medium composed of a mixture of nutrients, the most important of which is hyaluronic acid. These substances are essential for the normal development of the embryo within the uterus, while hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the uterine cavity.
The high concentration of hyaluronic acid is what distinguishes EmbryoGlue from other culture media, and its beneficial properties are attributed to this specific feature.
Briefly, the stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF) are as follows:
Ovarian stimulation
Usually performed with injectable medications to stimulate the simultaneous development of multiple eggs.
Egg retrieval
The eggs are collected through the vagina using a fine needle while the patient is under light anesthesia.
On the same day, the sperm sample is prepared for use in the next stage.
Fertilization
After special preparation of the eggs by the embryologists, fertilization takes place by exposing them to sperm.
Embryo transfer
Three to five days after fertilization, the embryos are placed into the uterus using a special catheter.
EmbryoGlue is used at this final stage, with the embryos being immersed in it shortly before transfer.
On the surface of the embryo and the endometrium, there are specific receptors that play a key role in the implantation process. EmbryoGlue acts as a bridge between these receptors, helping the embryo “attach” to the endometrium and implant successfully.
At the same time, this culture medium has high viscosity, meaning it is relatively thick. As a result, it reduces the likelihood of embryo displacement and expulsion from the uterus.
Multiple meta-analyses involving thousands of women have demonstrated an increased likelihood of success with the use of this specific culture medium.
The improvement is estimated at approximately 23% per IVF cycle. In the subgroup of patients with a history of two or more failed IVF attempts, the success rate may increase by up to 40%.
The properties of EmbryoGlue may benefit all women undergoing IVF treatment.
However, particular benefit has been observed in women who:
Are over 35 years old
Have a history of failed IVF attempts
Have a history of embryos with moderate morphological quality
In general, the more complex the assisted reproduction history and the poorer the IVF prognosis, the greater the potential benefit from using EmbryoGlue.
The use of EmbryoGlue during embryo transfer does not pose any risk to the patient or the embryo. In all cases, the specialized obstetrician-gynecologist will evaluate each patient individually and decide whether the use of this specific culture medium is appropriate.
