Received October 21, 1998
Accepted February 16, 1999

Introduction: A small study was done to determine the efficacy of a pharmaceutical grade medium as compared with our own "in house" formulation. Materiais and Methods: "In house" medium (IHM) was compared with Ferticult (Fertipro) a similar formulation of pharmaceutical grade which is available commercially. For the study 38 consecutive IVF patients were treated with IVF alternately assigned to using either IHM or Ferticult medium . Results: Fertilization rates (Ferticult-56% vs IHM-5 8 %) were very similar between the two media. Ferticult produced a higher pregnancy rate (Ferticult-35 % vs IHM- 16.7%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Following the adoption of Ferticult for routine use following completion of the study, results from the most recent series of 60 cases has been provided as data for further for comparison. Conclusions: The availability of pharmaceutical grade medium now means that the manufacture of "home brew" media is only justifiable if better results are obtainable. Results showed that no benefit accrues from the use of IHM. Since pharmaceutical grade medium is just as good and lacks the risks to the patient of IHM, in the interests of greater patient safety, we feel that where possible it is now practicable to such products wherever they exist and are widely available.