QUALITY-CONTROL IN THE INVITRO FERTILIZATION LABORATORY

Viability of gametes and embryos is explored as it relates to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo culture (EC): exposure to cytotoxic materials, water quality, gas composition, temperature, hydrogen ion concentration and osmolality of media, and light exposure. The use of various assay techniques to strengthen quality control procedures in the IVF/EC laboratory is evaluated. In addition, original data concerning embryo toxicity of plasticware, changes in osmolality of culture medium over time, potential hazards of cleaning and sterilizing reusable labware and comparisons of 1-cell versus 2-cell embryo assays are discussed. Suggestions are then made concerning techniques to improve quality control in the IVF/EC laboratory. © 1990.