Use of coculture with cumulus cells in insemination medium in human in vitro fertilization (IVF).
OBJECTIVE
In an initial trial, 16 of 33 (48%) bipronuclear human zygotes left in culture in the insemination drop from which they had originated developed to fully expanded blastocysts.


RESULTS
This method was subsequently used for all supernumerary embryos judged unsuitable for replacement or cryopreservation on Day 1, 2, or 3 of development. Over a 4-year period, embryos reaching the fully expanded blastocyst stage were cryopreserved. Of 113 such blastocysts thawed, 81 survived (72%), and upon transfer to 52 patients, 8 clinical pregnancies were established (15%), of which 6 were live births. Subsequently, following modification of some culture parameters, 60 patients had 296 supernumerary embryos cultured for 6 days; 43 of these patients (72%) had 148 embryos (50%) that cavitated and 134 (45%) of these cavitating embryos were judged to be fully expanded blastocycts; 125 (42%) of these embryos were cryopreserved.


CONCLUSIONS
The blastocyst formation rate is similar to that reported by others using conventional culture procedures or coculture on Vero or other cell types. I conclude that cumulus cells are a ready source of feeder cells for the coculture of human embryos.
Quinn
P
P
San Fernando Valley Fertility & Reproductive Center, Tarzana, California 91356.
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned