Results of in vitro fertilization and culture of human ova.

Using a technique with different media for fertilization and subsequent culture, cleavage of at least one oocyte was achieved in 35 (83%) out of 42 consecutive patients. A total of 138 oocytes (74 pre-ovulatory, 20 non-ovulatory and 44 atretic) were inseminated in vitro. Fifty-two (70%) of the pre-ovulatory oocytes clove and of these 37 (72%) developed apparently normally to the morula or blastocyst stage, while cleavage of the remaining 15 (28%) was characterized by an abnormal growth curve or abnormal morphology of the embryo. Only one (5%) of the 20 non-ovulatory oocytes clove, and this embryo displayed an abnormal growth curve. None of the atretic oocytes clove. It is concluded that evaluation of morphology and growth curve seems to be of value in distinguishing between apparently normally and abnormally developing embryos in vitro.