Does embryo glue help embryos implant? The science says “no”

When IVF patients talk about embryo transfer, they often cross their fingers and wish for their embryos to “stick.” Specialized embryo transfer media, marketed as an “embryo glue,” has created some buzz among these patients due to its promises to improve embryo implantation rates. However, new fertility research from Ovation Fertility San Antonio, in collaboration with Texas Fertility Center, indicates that this promise of better “stickiness” is not actually worth the extra cost as an IVF cycle add-on.

Does embryo glue really work?

The author of the study, Dr. Nirvika Singh Sharma, MS, ELD (ABB), MBBS, ELS, ALS, associate laboratory director at Ovation® Fertility San Antonio, analyzed 593 frozen embryo transfer cycles performed by Ovation Fertility between 2023 and 2025. The study examined outcomes using two different embryo culture media and two different embryo transfer media being marketed as “embryo glue.”

Regardless of which media were used, pregnancy rates remained consistent, ranging between 63% and 67%. In other words, using embryo glue didn’t make a difference in IVF cycle outcomes or help people bring home more babies.

Dr. Sharma’s findings were so impressive, she was invited to travel to London in July 2026 to present her research at the prestigious European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual conference.

“In recent years, more of our patients have requested specialized embryo transfer mediums, often driven by social media trends and the clever marketing of these products,” Dr. Sharma says. “In our field, it is our responsibility to look past the buzz and focus on what truly improves outcomes for patients.”

Peace of mind for patients and lab technicians

With this study, patients can now rest assured that they will get the best possible outcomes without having to pay extra for specialized transfer media. It also assures IVF lab teams that they can confidently continue using standard embryo culture media for transfer, which saves time and simplifies lab workflows.

To learn more about the study, visit OvationFertility.com/Research.