Received February 02, 2017
Accepted August 17, 2017

This study aimed to evaluate if single embryo culture medium (Single-ECM) better than sequential medium (Sequential-ECM), and can it improve ongoing pregnancy rates in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technique (ART) procedures. A systematic review based on electronic searches of databases was conducted and four randomized controlled trails (RCTs) were identified as targets for data extraction and meta-analysis. The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates. The outcomes for ongoing pregnancy rate are also demonstrated according with the moment of the embryo transfers were performed: cleavage stage (day 2/3) and/or blastocyst stage (day 5/6). General results demonstrated no significant differences between Single-ECM and Sequential-ECM groups for clinical pregnancy (RR = 1.09; 95%CI = 0.83 - 1.44; P = 0.53), ongoing pregnancy (RR = 1.11; 95%CI = 0.87 – 1.40; P = 0.39), and miscarriage rates (RR = 0.89; 95%CI = 0.44 – 1.81; P = 0.74). Including only RCTs in which the embryo transfer was performed at the blastocyst stage, no significant difference was found for ongoing pregnancy rate (RR = 1.29; 95%CI = 0.93 – 1.78; P = 0.12) between Single-ECM and Sequential-ECM groups. In conclusion the embryo culture medium employed, Single-ECM or Sequential-ECM, does not improve ongoing pregnancy rates in patients undergoing an ART cycle.