GYNECOLOGY: Exposure of Human Oocytes to Endometrioma Fluid Does Not Alter Fertilization or Early Embryo Development

Khamsi F, F Khamsi, Firouz Khamsi, Yavas Y, Y. Yavas, Lacanna IC, I. C. Lacanna, Roberge S, S. Roberge, M. Endman, Endman M, Wong JC, J. C. Wong
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics · 2001 · vol. 18(2) , pp. 106–109 · doi:10.1023/a:1026586709554 · PMID:11285976 · PMC3455555 · W1514241870
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This study compared human oocytes exposed to endometrioma fluid with unexposed controls during IVF, finding no significant differences in fertilization or early embryo development rates.

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This paper examined whether exposing human oocytes to endometrioma fluid affects fertilization and early embryo development in a real-world IVF setting. In 14 women undergoing oocyte retrieval, oocytes retrieved from an inadvertently entered endometrioma were compared with control oocytes from the same clinical setting, with fertilization and good-quality embryo formation rates assessed; the authors note they had previously validated their syringe technique as shortening retrieval without compromising success. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting humoral factors in endometriosis impair IVF outcomes (including animal IVF models), they found no difference: fertilization rates were 60% versus 56% and good-quality embryo formation 45% versus 46%. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it directly tests whether endometrioma fluid exposure alters human oocyte fertilization and early embryo development.

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Abstract

BackgroundExtensive endometriosis causes a mechanical disturbance in the pelvis leading to obstructive-type infertility. However, minimal or mild endometriosis is suspected to cause infertility, possibly through a humoral agent. Previous studies reported the presence of a factor in the serum of patients with endometriosis which reduced fertilization and early embryo formation in a rat IVF model.MethodsIn the present article, we report a comparison of oocytes exposed to endometrioma fluid and oocytes not exposed (controls) in the context of a human IVF setting. We have been in the practice of aspirating oocytes into prewarmed 60-ml syringes containing culture medium. We have shown previously that this technique reduces the length of oocyte retrieval without compromising success. In 14 women undergoing oocyte retrieval, we inadvertently entered an endometrioma. This resulted in retrieved oocytes that were either exposed or not exposed to endometrioma fluid.ResultsIn contrast to previous reports, we found no difference in fertilization or early embryo development between the two groups. The fertilization rate for oocytes exposed to an endometrioma was 60%, versus 56% for controls. The good-quality embryo formation rate for oocytes exposed to an endometrioma was 45%, versus 46% for controls.
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Abstract

Background: Extensive endometriosis causes a mechanical disturbance in the pelvis leading to obstructive-type infertility. However, minimal or mild endometriosis is suspected to cause infertility, possibly through a humoral agent. Previous studies reported the presence of a factor in the serum of patients with endometriosis which reduced fertilization and early embryo formation in a rat IVF model.

Methods

In the present article, we report a comparison of oocytes exposed to endometrioma fluid and oocytes not exposed (controls) in the context of a human IVF setting. We have been in the practice of aspirating oocytes into prewarmed 60-ml syringes containing culture medium. We have shown previously that this technique reduces the length of oocyte retrieval without compromising success. In 14 women undergoing oocyte retrieval, we inadvertently entered an endometrioma. This resulted in retrieved oocytes that were either exposed or not exposed to endometrioma fluid.

Results

In contrast to previous reports, we found no difference in fertilization or early embryo development between the two groups. The fertilization rate for oocytes exposed to an endometrioma was 60%, versus 56% for controls. The good-quality embryo formation rate for oocytes exposed to an endometrioma was 45%, versus 46% for controls. Similar content being viewed by others

References

Khamsi F, Lacanna I, Endman M: Recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies. Endocrine 1998;9:15-25 Khamsi F, Roberge S, Yavas Y: In vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection into the oocyte at Toronto Fertility Sterility Institute (14-year evolution of an independent health facility). Ann Roy Coll Phys Surg Can 1999;32:82-86 Miller KA, Pittaway DE, Deaton JL: The effect of serum from infertile women with endometriosis on fertilization and early embryonic development in a murine in vitro fertilization model. Fertil Steril 1995;64:623-626 SAS: Statistical Analysis System. SAS/STAT User's Guide. Release 6.03 ed. Cary, NC, Statistics Institute, 1988. Schmidt CL: Endometriosis: A reappraisal of pathogenesis and treatment. In Modern Trends in Infertility and Conception Control, EE Wallach, RD Kempers (eds). Chicago, Year Book Medical, 1988, pp 325-341 Webster BW, Wentz AC, Maxson WS: Endometriosis. In Reproductive Surgery, AH DeCherney, ML Polan (eds). Chicago, Year Book Medical, 1999, pp 221-242 Author information Authors and Affiliations Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Khamsi, F., Yavas, Y., Lacanna, I.C. et al. GYNECOLOGY: Exposure of Human Oocytes to Endometrioma Fluid Does Not Alter Fertilization or Early Embryo Development. J Assist Reprod Genet 18, 106–109 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026586709554 Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026586709554

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Condition tags

endometriosisendometrioma

MeSH descriptors

Embryonic and Fetal Development Endometriosis Oocytes Adult Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Embryonic and Fetal Development Endometriosis Female Fertilization in Vitro Humans Male Oocytes Pregnancy Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

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