title: Embryo Transfer Catheter Contamination With Intravaginal Progesterone Preparations in a Simulated Embryo Transfer Model Impairs Mouse Embryo Development: Are There Implications for Human Embryo Transfer Technique?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of embryo transfer (ET) catheter contact with intravaginal progesterone preparations on mouse embryo development.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a simulated ET model, ET catheters were loaded with culture medium, placed in contact with intravaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8%) or micronized progesterone intravaginal inserts (Endometrin 100 mg), and the intracatheter culture medium flushed. Embryos were cultured in the flushed culture medium at variable dilutions for variable lengths of time. Proportion of embryos progressing to blastocyst, embryo cell number, and apoptotic index was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the embryos cultured in undiluted progesterone-exposed medium progressed to blastocyst. The likelihood of achieving blastocyst status and the average embryo cell number increased significantly as culture media exposed to intravaginal progesterone was diluted. A significant decrease in cell number became apparent between 1 and 2 hours of exposure. Interestingly, the apoptotic index was significantly higher in progesterone-exposed embryos as compared to unexposed embryos.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The contamination of ET catheter with intravaginal progesterone significantly impairs mouse embryo development, likely due in part to increased programmed cell death.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: Luke Y
authors: LY
authors: Ying
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Ying
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Mayer
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors: Anthony N
authors: AN
authors: Imudia
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USF IVF and Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA splosker@health.usf.edu.
authors: Shayne M
authors: SM
authors: Plosker
keywords: Crinone; Endometrin; embryo toxicity; embryo transfer; progesterone