title: [The effect of human follicular fluid on mouse embryo culture].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of human follicular fluid (HFF) on mouse embryo culture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Compare the effects of HFF and serum as a protein supplement on the in vitro development of mouse embryos. Measure the concentration of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in HFF and human serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HFF significantly enhanced the developmental potential of mouse embryos in vitro, even in the presence of meiotic inhibitors. HFF significantly increased frequency of development from the 2-cell stage to the 8-cell stage (72.9%), blastocyst stage (50.9%) and hatching (26.3%), compared with human serum(48.0%, 24.5%, 6.9%, P < 0.05). There was higher concentration of EGF with an average of 0.50 microgram/L in HFF group compared with human serum (0.26 microgram/L, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human follicular fluid is effective in increasing the developmental potential of mouse embryos in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Shandong Institute of Family Planning, Jinan 250002, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor