Human chorionic gonadotropin from day 2 spent embryo culture media and its relationship to embryo development

Abstract

Objective: To detect hCG in spent embryo culture media at day 2 after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and to assess the relationship of hCG to embryo development.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Fertility center and clinical diagnostic laboratory.

Sample(s): A total of 102 spent culture media from day 2 human embryos and corresponding unexposed media for blank control.

Intervention(s): The culture media samples were tested for hCG by ELISA.

Main outcome measure(s): Quantity of hCG produced by embryos and correlation with the embryos' developmental status.

Result(s): hCG was found in 93 of 102 culture media tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation analysis revealed that the concentration of hCG was independent of embryo developmental status.

Conclusion(s): The ability to detect hCG from day 2 spent culture media may be used as a marker for embryo competence.