title: EGF and IGF-I as predictors of ICSI outcome in human preimplantation embryo cultures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Detection of EGF and IGF-I in human embryo cultures and their effect on ICSI outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Collection of culture medium from embryos of 50 women under ICSI program. EGF and IGF-I were measured via enzyme immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICSI outcome was independent of age, infertility years, FSH, LH, prolactine and E2. EGF detection was higher in 48- (32%), than in 72-hour embryos (14%) (p < 0.001). EGF negative embryos are likely to be arrested at the morula stage (p < 0.001) and are associated with poor pregnancy rates (p < 0.05). IGF-I was undetected in 48-hour embryos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time human embryos were surveyed from fertilization until embryo transfer, regarding EGF and IGF-I production. IGF-I is not a predictor of ICSI outcome. EGF is present in one-third of human embryo cultures at 48 hours, but this ratio wanes at the morula stage. EGF negative embryos are associated with lower pregnancy rates.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Athens, Alexandra University Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Loutradis
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Koussidis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bletsa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milingos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antsaklis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michalas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum; D003470:Culture Media; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009028:Morula; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012307:Risk Factors; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I