Effect on fertilization of intra-peritoneal exposure of oocytes to carbon dioxide

Follicular aspiration is generally performed via laparoscopy after creating a pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide (CO2). Adverse effects on embryo development may occur following exposure to CO2, which is known to cause a decrease in follicular fluid pH. Such a reduction in pH may affect fertilization and early embryonic development and this study was carried out to study these effects. Oocytes obtained by laparoscopy were compared with those obtained under ultrasonic guidance to determine whether CO2 exposure had any adverse effect. The results suggest that CO2 may affect fertilization, but once this has occurred, there is no effect of CO2 on the rate of cleavage of the embryos.