Setting standards for the levels of endotoxin in the embryo culture media of human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the optimum set standards for the levels of endotoxin in a culture medium for human IVF-ET programs.


METHODS
Retrospective and randomized study.


METHODS
One hundred patients underwent 163 cycles of IVF-ET at Fukuoka University Hospital.


METHODS
Measurements for endotoxin were performed using the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate test. The negative group was administered media with < 1 pg/mL of endotoxin and the positive group was given media with > or = 1 pg/mL of endotoxin.


METHODS
Human embryo development, clinical outcomes, and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated in each group and also the levels of endotoxin.


RESULTS
The rates of clinical pregnancy (26.1%) and the live birth rates (20.7%) in the negative media were significantly higher than those in the positive media (9.9% and 5.6%, respectively). Rates of embryo development were decreased and a gestational sac and fetal heart beat were not detected in media with > 2 pg/mL of endotoxin.


CONCLUSIONS
The set standard for the level of endotoxin in a medium should be < 1 pg/mL to obtain the best outcome. The allowable levels of endotoxin in a medium should be < or = 2 pg/mL in human IVF.
Nagata
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynceology, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.
Shirakawa
K
K
D000328:Adult; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003470:Culture Media; D004731:Endotoxins