Electron probe microanalysis of the chemical elemental content of human follicular fluid.

Follicular fluid samples were obtained by puncturing follicles of ovaries in situ from patients undergoing laparotomy. Sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur concentrations measured by electron probe microanalysis were similar to those of blood, with minimal differences. This suggested that culture media in which these electrolytes are added in concentrations similar to those of serum are appropriate for culture of the human oocyte.