Serum from endometriosis patients impairs the development of mouse embryos in vitro--comparison with serum from tubal obstruction patient and plasmanate.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of serum from endometriosis. To determine the effects of serum obtained from patients with endometriosis on mouse embryo development, we compared the fertilization and cleavage rates of mouse embryo in a standard mouse embryo culture system.

METHODS

Sera were collected from 13 individuals who were diagnosed endometriosis and ten individuals who were diagnosed as having tubal obstruction. Mouse embryos were fertilized and cultured in vitro with serum supplement obtained from patients with endometriosis (n = 13) and tubal obstruction (n = 10), and plasmanate (n = 10).

RESULTS

The fertilization rate was 26.6 +/- 14.9% in patients serum with endometriosis, and the cleavage rate was 21.2 +/- 9.1%, respectively. However, the fertilization rates were 60.9 +/- 12.5% (tubal obstruction group), and 77.3 +/- 14.7% (plasmanate group), the cleavage rates were 32.2 +/- 16.4% and 36.2 +/- 9.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum from patients with endometriosis revealed toxic effects on mouse embryos in vitro. The use of plasmanate instead of whole serum from patients with endometriosis will hopefully bring a better understanding of embryo development.