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.
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.