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Dr. Smith
Sorry but I am still reading some of your old posts and I saw another thing I became curious about. You had a post several months ago where you talked about “Embryo Glue”. You mentioned aside from the company that manufactures the product there were no other studies yet to back up that research – is that still true today? This may be a really stupid question but is it like a drug – IE has it received FDA approval? If in fact it does work are there issues/side effects to the embryo or has it not been in use long enough to truly know those statistics?
Lastly and again I apologize if this is a stupid question because I have to admit I am a little fuzzy on implantation – I understand that all the cell division leading up to blast and beyond if done correctly is evidence that the embryo is most likely healthy and chromosomally correct - is there any thought that the ability to implant also proves viability? My question (that I am having trouble articulating) is that if you super glue a borderline or chromosomally challenged embryo to the uterine wall can a “slow grower”, that would otherwise have likely miscarried, be put in a position where it keeps growing but it would still be too slow or with problems? Also if it does not keep growing and a D&C become necessary is there any increased risk of damage to the uterus from the glue or is my imagination just making the Embryo Glue seem much stronger than it really is?
Thanks again
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I am not aware of any following studies substantiating the manufacturer's claim of improved implantation following use of Embryo Glue.
"Embryo Glue" is a commercial name that is rather misleading. It is not a glue at all. Catchy name though. "Embryo Glue" is blastocyst stage culture medium supplemeted with hyaluronan, a naturally occuring, long chain sugar molecule found in all parts of the body. This supplemented medium is used for embryo transfer.
Hyaluronan is more concentrated in uterine fluid around the time of implantation than at other times during the cycle. Based on this circumstancial evidence, the commercial product "Embryo Glue" was developed. Yes, it has FDA approval, as do all commercial products used in IVF in the U.S. However, that does not imply that the efficancy of this product has been convincing demonstrated; more along the lines that it is non-toxic to embryos. As far as well can tell, there are no side effects or long term problems associated with "Embryo Glue" - probably because is a narturally occuring molecule.
Embryo Glue is thought to act in one of two ways. It may be acting as a "bridging" molecule that binds to receptors on both the trophectorderm cells (outer surface of the blastocyst) and the endometrial cells facilitating attachment. OR, by increasing the viscosity of the transfer medium, it helps by keeping the embryos in place after transfer. Botom - Who knows?
You make a good point and imagination drives the coomos. Don't be shy. At present, I'm not aware of any evidence that would suggest that Embryo Glue increases the implantation rate of developmentally challenged embryos (I'm being PC here) that would result in an increase in "chemical" or "empty sac" pregnancies. So far, so good. Since Embryo Glue" is a soluable molecule in the uterine fluid, there would be no damage to the endometrium associated with performing a D&C.
No worries.
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