Culture media affect sex after IVF treatment—a detailed analysis of explanatory variables

T Guldager, A Gabrielsen, L H Iversen, K Kirkegaard

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed analysis of clinical and laboratory factors associated with skewed secondary sex ratio (SSR) after ART. Method: Retrospective cohort study of embryos resulting in live births, from frozen and fresh single blastocyst transfers. Embryos were cultured in either G-TL (n = 686) or Sage media (n = 685). Data was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model and a mixed model analysis. Results: Significantly more male singletons were born after culture in Sage media compared to G-TL media (odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95% CI (1.05, 1.70), P = 0.02). Inner cell mass grade B vs A (OR 1.36 95% CI (1.05, 1.76), P = 0.02) and one previous embryo transfer (OR 1.49, 95% CI (1.03, 2.16), P = 0.03) were associated with a significantly higher probability of male child at birth. Factors associated with a reduced probability of male child were expansion grade 3 vs 5 (OR 0.66, 95% CI (10.45, 0.96), P = 0.03) and trophectoderm grade B vs A (OR 0.57, 95% CI (0.44, 0.74), P = 0.00). Male embryos developed significantly faster in Sage media compared to G-TL media for the stages of blastocyst (− 1.12 h, 95% CI (− 2.12, − 0.12)), expanded blastocyst (− 1.35 h, 95% CI (− 2.34, − 0.35)), and hatched blastocyst (− 1.75 h, 95% CI (− 2.99, − 0.52)). Conclusion: More male children were born after culture in Sage media compared to G-TL media. Male embryo development was affected by culture media. Our observations suggest that culture media impact male embryo quality selectively, thus potentially favoring the selection of male embryos.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Volume41
Issue5
Pages (from-to)1181-1191
Number of pages11
ISSN1058-0468
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2024

Keywords

  • Culture media
  • Embryo morphokinetics
  • Expansion grade
  • Secondary sex ratio
  • Trophectoderm

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