[Human in vitro fertilisation. Preliminary results (author's transl)]

We here report the results of our first attempts at fertilising the human oocyte in vitro. No external hormonal stimulation was used to induce follicular growth or maturation of the oocyte. Nine oocytes were obtained laparoscopically in ten women in the pre-ovulation hours. They were incubated in a synthetic culture medium in the presence of freshly ejaculated spermatozoa. Five oocytes were fertilised normally, of which three were cultured just up to the stage of 4-6 blastomeres. The three failures of fertilisation can be put down to poor quality of the gametes. The discussion is carried on about the quality of the oocyte and of the embryo and justifies further studies to deepen our knowledge before embarking on embryo transplant.