EMBRYO CULTURE MEDIA IN IVF: IMPORTANCE AND CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION AND CONCENTRATION OF ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in composition and concentration of essential components in embryo culture media used in vitro fertilization (IVF) over the past nearly 50 years. Initially, culture media used human or bovine serum, but due to concerns about contamination and instability, chemically defined media were developed. These media underwent significant changes in both component types and concentrations to optimize embryo culture efficiency. Two prominent development directions are sequential media and single-step media, which aim to optimize embryo development at each stage and minimize intervention, respectively. However, the lack of transparency in the disclosure of commercial culture media compositions has hindered research and optimization of IVF procedures over the years. Therefore, more in-depth studies are needed on the impact of each component on embryo development.