A correlation of the outcome of clinical in vitro fertilization with the inositol content and embryotrophic properties of human serum.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate whether the level of myo-inositol (MI) in human serum is critical for embryotrophic activity.


METHODS
The embryotrophic properties of human serum were evaluated by the development of postimplantation mouse embryos [in vitro assay of Tam et al. (Fertil Steril 48:834-839, 1987)]. An enzymatic spectrophotometric method using myo-inositol dehydrogenase was used for determination of serum MI. The level of MI detected in serum was compared with the embryotrophic properties and the pregnancy outcome. The effect of MI on the embryotrophic activity of human serum was studied by supplementing the suboptimal serum samples that were unsupportive of embryo growth with extra MI.


RESULTS
Serum obtained from patients having successful IVF pregnancies generally supported better development of postimplantation mouse embryos and contained higher levels of inositol, particularly if the serum sample was collected during the IVF treatment cycle. Serum samples obtained from patients with aborted pregnancies, though supporting mouse embryo development, contained significantly lower concentrations of inositol. An improvement of the embryotrophic properties with exogenous inositol supplement was achieved in some but not all of the suboptimal serum samples studied.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible that other factors in addition to inositol are crucial in promoting better embryonic development.
Chiu
T T
TT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T.
Tam
P P
PP
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects*; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007294:Inositol / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR / Q000196:embryology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003470:Culture Media; D007294:Inositol