Embryo Transfer Catheter Contamination With Intravaginal Progesterone Preparations in a Simulated Embryo Transfer...

To study the effect of embryo transfer (ET) catheter contact with intravaginal progesterone preparations on mouse embryo development.

In a simulated ET model, ET catheters were loaded with culture medium, placed in contact with intravaginal progesterone gel (Crinone 8%) or micronized progesterone intravaginal inserts (Endometrin 100 mg), and the intracatheter culture medium flushed. Embryos were cultured in the flushed culture medium at variable dilutions for variable lengths of time. Proportion of embryos progressing to blastocyst, embryo cell number, and apoptotic index was analyzed.

None of the embryos cultured in undiluted progesterone-exposed medium progressed to blastocyst. The likelihood of achieving blastocyst status and the average embryo cell number increased significantly as culture media exposed to intravaginal progesterone was diluted. A significant decrease in cell number became apparent between 1 and 2 hours of exposure. Interestingly, the apoptotic index was significantly higher in progesterone-exposed embryos as compared to unexposed embryos.

The contamination of ET catheter with intravaginal progesterone significantly impairs mouse embryo development, likely due in part to increased programmed cell death.