Confirmation of the beneficial effects of brief coincubation of gametes in human in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm whether brief exposure of human oocytes to spermatozoa in vitro results in equivalent fertilization rates and possibly better quality embryos than overnight coincubation and to determine if there was a difference in outcome with regard to the type of culture medium used.


METHODS
Prospective distribution of gametes between treatments in sequential patients.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology program in private hospital.


METHODS
Consecutively treated subfertile couples entering an infertility program.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology treatment for infertility involving oocyte retrieval and in vitro fertilization.


METHODS
When possible, the outcome of fertilization and embryo quality were compared when gametes were coincubated for 1 hour or overnight. Two different formulations of human tubal fluid were compared in some cases.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in fertilization rates between a brief or overnight coincubation of gametes or between the two treatment groups with regard to the type of culture medium used. The quality of the embryos was significantly better in the 1-hour exposure group. The embryos in Basal XI human tubal fluid medium were of significantly better morphological quality than their siblings in D3+ human tubal fluid medium.


CONCLUSIONS
Coincubation of oocytes and spermatozoa for a shorter period produced embryos of superior morphological quality than the generally accepted overnight protocol. A simple glucose and phosphate-free human tubal fluid medium resulted in early cleavage embryos of better morphological quality than a medium supplemented with glucose, taurine, and glutathione.
Quinn
P
P
IVF Laboratory, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA.
Lydic
M L
ML
Ho
M
M
Bastuba
M
M
Hendee
F
F
Brody
S A
SA
D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome