The gamete and embryo compatibility of various synthetic polymers.
Several popular and well-characterized polymeric materials were evaluated for their biocompatibility toward the cells unique to reproduction. To accomplish these studies, several in vitro tests were developed that evaluated biocompatibility between the polymers and spermatozoa, ova, and embryos. The data indicated significant differences between the materials with respect to their biocompatibility toward sperm motility, the sperm's ability to penetrate zona-free hamster eggs, and the ability of two-cell mouse embryos to divide. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE-Teflon; PTFE, Chemplast Inc., Wayne, NJ), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate (PHEMA) appear to be the most inert of the materials studied. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC; Tygon-Norton, Akron, OH) was found to be the most detrimental material toward gametes and embryos, with gross physiologic and morphologic changes observed in the PVC-exposed cells.
Hunter
S K
SK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
Scott
J R
JR
Hull
D
D
Urry
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006224:Cricetinae; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000494:pharmacology; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000494:pharmacology; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011108:Polymers; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride