Vitrolife IVF Media & Oil

A primary technical pain-point in embryo culture is oxidative stress — reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in the in-vitro environment (due to plasticware, light, variable oxygen tensions) can impair embryo development and reduce implantation potential. Vitrolife explicitly describes that the chosen media in IVF should act “to buffer against external disturbances and optimise every embryo’s chance of developing into a baby.” Their Gx series media (Gx-IVF™, Gx-MOPS™ PLUS, Gx-TL™) incorporate a “triple antioxidant protection” (acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine) which is claimed to improve embryo viability when used individually and in combination. Thus, by offering media with built-in antioxidant protection, Vitrolife addresses the pain of embryo damage from oxidative stress and inconsistent culture outcomes.

Handling of gametes and embryos often requires manipulation outside the CO₂ incubator (for example during ICSI, biopsy, or pipetting). During this handling, pH drift and temperature deviations can harm development. The G-MOPS™ (and G-MOPS™ PLUS) media from Vitrolife are described as pH stable handling media designed for ambient atmosphere use: “G-MOPS PLUS and G-MOPS are pH stable handling media designed to support the handling and manipulation of oocytes and embryos outside the incubator.” This robust handling medium helps address the pain of having to switch to generic media for external handling steps and risking pH drift or sub-optimal conditions.

The culture of embryos from day 3 through blastocyst stage poses nutrient and developmental-support challenges: they require amino acids, hyaluronan, human serum albumin and antioxidant protection to optimise development and cryosurvivability. Vitrolife’s G-2™ PLUS medium, for example, “provides the embryo with a wide range of amino acids and hyaluronan for optimised blastocyst development” and includes vitamins acting as antioxidants. For labs struggling with sub-optimal blastocyst formation or inconsistent survival after thawing, this targeted medium reduces the pain of inadequate developmental support.

Overlay oil plays a crucial though often-under-recognised role in embryo culture. If oil quality is poor, issues like increased evaporation, elevated osmolality or peroxide contamination can adversely affect culture conditions. Vitrolife’s OVOIL™ and OVOIL HEAVY™ are described as 100% paraffin oil or synthetic high viscosity oil, sterile-filtered, and produced from extensively tested raw-materials. The website states that “oil for IVF should do nothing but protect the culture… it should not have any negative influence on the gametes, embryos or media” and highlights that inferior oils have shown significantly lower embryo development rates. For labs frustrated by unexplained declines in embryo quality due to oil-related issues, this oil system tackles that pain point head-on.

In fertilisation procedures, gamete performance is sensitive to the medium used: sperm and oocyte function must be supported while avoiding sub-optimal buffer systems or lacking additives. Vitrolife’s G-IVF™ PLUS medium is described as “fertilisation medium containing all components necessary to support oocyte and sperm function during fertilisation.” Moreover, the Gx-IVF version adds human serum albumin, gentamicin and the triple antioxidant combination for improved embryo viability. This mitigates the pain faced by clinics when fertilisation rates are inconsistent due to medium inadequacy or variability.

Implementation of a unified media & oil system helps reduce variability in laboratory workflows — switching between brands or mismatched components can introduce hidden risks (e.g., different osmolality, buffer capacity, additives). Vitrolife’s product line emphasises end-to-end coverage: from handling and fertilisation to culture and transfer (one document states “IVF media and oil for optimal handling and culture in the IVF procedure, all the way from preparation to embryo transfer”). For embryology lab managers weighed down by the complexity of sourcing, validating and managing multiple products, this offers a streamlined technical solution.

Temperature, CO₂ equilibration, and medium equilibration before use represent often-overlooked pain-points in culture workflows. For example, many of Vitrolife’s media state “for use after equilibration at +37°C and 6 % CO₂” (e.g., G-IVF™ PLUS, G-1™ PLUS). By clearly specifying these parameters and providing media formulated for these conditions, Vitrolife helps mitigate the pain of inconsistent pre-use preparation and the variability that results from improper equilibration.

For clinics aiming at blastocyst culture and improved implantation rates, the transfer medium and oil quality contribute directly to outcome. Vitrolife highlights that their transfer medium (EmbryoGlue®) is hyaluronan-rich and designed to promote implantation. Coupled with high-quality oils and sequential culture media, the entire system addresses the pain of sub-optimal implantation and live birth variability by providing media and oil engineered for that purpose.

Click here to know more about Vitrolife IVF Media & Oil