Improved methods for preparation of culture media for in-vitro fertilization and gamete intra-Fallopian transfer

A new method for preparation of culture media for IVF-ET andGIFT was developed which eliminated the requirement for volumetricsand glassware. Water weight was used instead of volumetricsfor preparation of media. Media prepared by the volumetric andwater weight methods were compared for (i) preparation time,(ii) pH, (iu) osmolarity and (iv) the percentage of two-cellmurine embryos developing to blastocysts. The time requiredfor preparation of media was significantly less for the waterweight method. Following equilibration with 5% CO², no differenceswere observed between the two methods for pH, osmolarity ordevelopment of embryos to the blastocyst stage. Time for mediapreparation and osmolarity was less variable among preparationdays for the water weight method. These results suggest thatmedia can be prepared more efficiently and precisely with thewater weight method than with the standard volumetric methodused by most IVF laboratories. The former method eliminatesconsiderable technician time which must be devoted to propercleaning/sterilization of volumetrics and the possibility ofmedia contamination by residual substances remaining on volumetricsfollowing improper cleaning.