Adding new ingredients to the recipe for successful embryo transfers

Abstract

The success of a pregnancy and the birth of a heathy baby following embryo transfer are conditioned by many factors, including embryo quality and the uterine environment. While we keep looking for more indicators of embryo quality, it also is critical to understand what constitutes a favorable uterine environment leading to a successful pregnancy and birth. This issue of JARG offers new insights on both components—so called by some “the seed and the soil”—and also highlights the critical interactions between the two. Collectively, these publications are contributing to a better understanding of basic embryology and reproductive biology. They could lead to multiple applications to mitigate infertility issues; however, our knowledge base remains rudimentary when it comes to sorting out the ‘soil or seed’ dilemma. The call from all authors for more research in their respective areas resonates within the ART community. Recognizing the practical and ethical limitations of studies in human patients also reemphasizes the need for solid research in multiple animal models to better understand what constitutes the best recipe for successful embryo transfer outcomes.