A study of teratogenicity of hydrosalpinx fluid using a whole rat embryo culture model.
BACKGROUND
Hydrosalpinx fluid may be toxic to sperm and early embryo growth. Information concerning the effect of hydrosalpinx fluid on embryo development during organogenesis is lacking.


METHODS
Rat embryos at gestational day 9.5 were cultured for 48 h with 80% rat serum and 20% of either hydrosalpinx fluid (study group) or lactated Ringer's solution (control group). Embryos were scored for growth and development at the end of the culture period.


RESULTS
Hydrosalpinx fluid, collected from 10 patients, was tested for embryotoxicity individually. Median total morphological scores were significantly lower in embryos exposed to hydrosalpinx fluid from three of the 10 patients (43.0 versus 47.0, P = 0.01; 36.0 versus 45.0, P < 0.001; 36.0 versus 46.5, P = 0.003). This was accompanied by a significant reduction in median yolk sac diameter (4.0 versus 5.2 mm, P < 0.001 and 4.0 versus 5.0 mm, P < 0.001) and somite number (17.5 versus 22.5, P < 0.001 and 17.0 versus 21.5, P = 0.008) in the latter two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrosalpinx fluid in some patients may contain toxin(s) that is potentially teratogenic.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. lyschan@cuhk.edu.hk
L Y
LY
Chan
P Y
PY
Chiu
L P
LP
Cheung
C J
CJ
Haines
H F
HF
Tung
T K
TK
Lau
D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019170:Somites / Q000187:drug effects; D013723:Teratogens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000187:drug effects
D013723:Teratogens