Washing mineral oil reduces contaminants and embryotoxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if washing improves the quality of mineral oil used for embryo culture.


METHODS
A 2 × 3 factorial experimental study.


METHODS
University hospital-based infertility center.


METHODS
Mice.


METHODS
The chemical nature of contaminants present in two lots of mineral oil was determined. Effect of washing on toxicity and amount of toxin present in media was determined.


METHODS
The effect of washing was determined by a quality control bioassay or by directly determining the level of contaminant in oil-conditioned culture media.


RESULTS
Water, culture media, and media plus albumin were equally effective in reducing toxicity and concentration of toxin. Temperature did not affect washing results. Peroxide, aldehydes, and alkenals were present in one lot of oil, and Triton X-100 was identified in the other lot. Washed oil containing peroxide passed the one-cell mouse embryo bioassay, and washing reduced the amount of Triton X-100 by 25%.


CONCLUSIONS
Mineral oil is the least defined component used for in vitro fertilization and embryo culture; therefore, it is important to determine if washing oil is beneficial. This study provides clear evidence that washing reduces toxicity of mineral oil.
Morbeck
Dean E
DE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Morbeck.Dean@mayo.edu
Khan
Zaraq
Z
Barnidge
David R
DR
Walker
David L
DL
D000447:Aldehydes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D000475:Alkenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media / Q000633:toxicity; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004340:Drug Contamination; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D017830:Octoxynol / Q000494:pharmacology; D010545:Peroxides / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology
D000447:Aldehydes; D000475:Alkenes; D003470:Culture Media; D003902:Detergents; D010545:Peroxides; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D014867:Water; D008899:Mineral Oil; D017830:Octoxynol