The Future of Human Embryo Culture Media – Or Have We Reached the Ceiling ?

Within the embryology laboratory one of the central components is embryo culture media. The fundamental goal/role of the laboratory and therefore the culture media has been to maintain the inherent viability of the gametes/embryos before replacement to the mother. Over the last 10-15 years there have been major advancements in this area, with culture media developing from simple salt solutions into highly complex defined media, specifically designed to reduce stress to the embryo and maintain high pregnancy rates. As a direct result of these advancements in culture media formulation and increased awareness of the contribution of QA/QC, single embryo transfer is now a realistic outcome for a majority of patients. Although the role of culture media in stress reduction and viability maintenance may have reached its ceiling, with likely only incremental increases in pregnancy rates to be made in the future, there may be a new role for culture media as a therapeutic device evolving from the goal of maintaining the inherent viability to improving the viability of the gametes and embryos.