[Association of human chorionic gonadotropin level in embryo culture media with early embryo development]

Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2014 Jun;34(7):1039-41, 1047.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level on day 3 of embryo culture with embryo development.

Methods: Spent culture media were collected from individually cultured embryos on day 3 of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. HCG concentration in the culture media was measured using an ELISA kit and its association with embryo development was assessed.

Results: In the 163 samples of embryo culture media from 60 patients, HCG was positive in 153 sample (93.8%) with a mean level of 0.85 ± 0.43 mIU/ml. The concentration of hCG in the culture media increased gradually as the number of blastomeres increased (F=2.273, P=0.03), and decreased as the morphological grade of the embryo was lowered (F=3.900, P=0.02).

Conclusion: ELISA is capable of detecting HCG levels in spent culture media of embryos on day 3 of in vitro culture. The concentration of HCG in spent culture media is positively correlated with the status of early embryo development and implantation rate and thus serves as a useful marker for embryo selection in IVF-ET procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / chemistry
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / chemistry*
  • Culture Media / chemistry*
  • Embryo Transfer
  • Embryonic Development*
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Culture Media