Embryo Glue in IVF: Can It Improve Embryo Implantation?
Learn how embryo glue works in IVF, how it may support implantation, and what patients should know.
In short: Embryo glue is a culture medium containing mainly hyaluronan, in which the embryo is placed before transfer to help it attach to the lining of the uterus. Some studies showed a higher pregnancy rate, but the quality of the evidence is moderate to low and ESHRE does not recommend it for all patients. It may help selected cases such as repeated implantation failure.
Advances in IVF continue to help hopeful parents move closer to building their families. Every new technique aims to work gently with the body’s natural processes, supporting the embryo and the uterus at the most delicate stage of treatment: implantation.
Since the early days of IVF, researchers have looked for ways to support healthier pregnancies and improve the chances of successful embryo transfer. One approach that has been studied is the use of a solution known as “embryo glue.”
What Does the Research Say About Embryo Glue?
An early study published in 2003 looked at 141 IVF cases using this solution. Patients were carefully matched by factors such as age, day-3 FSH levels, and the number of embryos transferred, then divided into two groups — one using embryo glue during transfer, and one without it.
The study reported a notable increase in both pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate in the group that used embryo glue compared to the group that did not. As with any single study, these findings reflect one research group’s results, and outcomes can vary between patients and clinics.
Since then, a review of many trials (Cochrane 2020) found that embryo glue probably increases the chance of pregnancy and live birth modestly, but also increases the chance of twins, mainly when more than one embryo is transferred. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE 2023) does not recommend it for routine use, so it is best discussed with your doctor as an optional addition.
What Is Embryo Glue?
Embryo glue is a specialized solution containing hyaluronan, a substance naturally found in the fallopian tubes, uterus, and ovarian follicles. Hyaluronan is thought to help the embryo attach by binding to receptors on the surface of both the embryo and the uterine lining, and by making the transfer fluid thicker, so the embryo stays in place.
This solution also contains supportive nutrients such as albumin, water, and bicarbonates, which may help nourish the embryo in the short period between transfer and implantation.
In simple terms, embryo glue is thought to help the embryo stay in place and attach to the uterine lining during the first hours after transfer, in a way that mimics natural conditions in the uterus.
How Embryo Glue May Support Implantation
Implantation is generally understood to happen in three stages:
1. Contact Stage
After the embryo is transferred, the natural viscosity of embryo glue helps it blend with the fluids already present in the uterus. This similarity may help the embryo settle into a favorable spot for implantation.
2. Adhesion Stage
At this stage, embryo glue may support firmer attachment of the embryo by interacting with enzymes naturally produced by the uterine lining.
3. Implantation
A Gentle Addition to Your IVF Journey
Embryo glue is one of several tools used in modern IVF to support the implantation process. It is not a guarantee of pregnancy, and individual results vary depending on many personal and clinical factors. If you’re exploring IVF options and want to understand whether embryo glue or other techniques may be suitable for your situation, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is happy to discuss your case and walk you through your personalized treatment plan.
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
The finest doctor in Jordan — may God bless him and his whole medical team. A doctor in every sense of the word. I advise anyone planning a pregnancy to visit Dr. Najeeb Layyous. His manner is wonderful, always smiling, with the highest ethics; he gives every patient her due, and the patient’s comfort matters most to him. We had been to many doctors and none understood and treated my case except him. Special thanks to him and the whole team, and to Dina in particular — a lovely person. I recommend anyone considering IVF or pregnancy to visit his clinic.