Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
EGF and IGF-I as predictors of ICSI outcome in human preimplantation embryo cultures
Purpose of investigation: Detection of EGF and IGF-I in human embryo cultures and their effect on ICSI outcome. Methods: Collection of culture medium from embryos of 50 women under ICSI program. EGF and IGF-I were measured via enzyme immunoassay. Results: ICSI outcome was independent of age, infertility years, FSH, LH, prolactine and E2. EGF detection was higher in 48 - (32%), than in 72-hour embryos (14%) (p < 0.001). EGF negative embryos are likely to be arrested at the morula stage (p < 0.001) and are associated with poor pregnancy rates (p < 0.05). IGF-I was undetected in 48-hour embryos.
Conclusions: For the first time human embryos were surveyed from fertilization until embryo transfer, regarding EGF and IGFI production. IGF-I is not a predictor of ICSI outcome. EGF is present in one-third of human embryo cultures at 48 hours, but this ratio wanes at the morula stage. EGF negative embryos are associated with lower pregnancy rates.