The study analyzed 310 cryotransfers
A study led by embryologist and National Laboratory Director at IVF-Life, Dr. Llanos Medrano, confirms that using the cytokine during embryo transfer also increases success rates in egg donation treatments.
The use of culture medium containing GM-CSF (a cytokine naturally present in the uterus) in embryo cryotransfers increases success rates in egg donation treatments. This is one of the main conclusions of the study led by IVF-Life’s National Laboratory Director, Dr. Llanos Medrano, which will be presented at the upcoming ASEBIR 2025 Congress, to be held from November 12 to 14 in Barcelona.
The GM-CSF cytokine, produced by the female reproductive system, appears to play a key role in embryo implantation and pregnancy development. Although its effect had already been observed in cycles with patients’ own oocytes, there was previously no clear evidence of its impact on egg donation treatments, especially in vitrified embryos.
The study analyzed 310 cryotransfers performed between August and December 2024, classifying patients according to whether they had a history of implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage, and whether the embryos had been genetically analyzed through PGT. In all groups, results obtained with the standard culture medium were compared to those using the GM-CSF-supplemented medium.
The use of this cytokine significantly improved clinical pregnancy rates in patients with a history of implantation failure or recurrent miscarriage, whether or not the embryos had undergone genetic testing. In patients without such history, significant improvements were also observed in implantation rates and, in some cases, in clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates (pregnancy up to week 12).
“The data indicate that the GM-CSF-enriched medium could be recommended for all embryo cryotransfers within egg donation treatments, as it clearly enhances success possibilities across many patient profiles,” explains Dr. Llanos Medrano. In this regard, she emphasized that “these advances are essential to continue personalizing fertility treatments, optimizing results, and providing greater assurance to patients undergoing assisted reproduction, especially in complex cases.”