Inhibition of embryo development by some maternal sera.

Blood sera obtained from patients in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program at the time of oocyte retrieval were tested for their capacities to support embryo development by using them as supplements for media in which mouse embryos were cultured. The sera varied greatly in their capacities to support development of mouse embryos but there was no correlation between the effectiveness of the sera in supporting mouse embryo development and the achievement of pregnancy by the donors of the sera. The capacities of the serum samples to support embryo development also failed to correlate with any of the causes of infertility examined (endometriosis, ureaplasma infection, pelvic adhesive disease, and bilateral tubal occlusion). It was concluded that failure of maternal sera to support embryo development does not necessarily reduce the likelihood that the donors of the sera can become pregnant by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures.