POTENTIAL USE OF EMBRYO COCULTURE WITH HUMAN IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION PROCEDURES

Purpose: This review was designed to outline potential uses of an embr yo co-culture system in human assisted reproduction programs to improv e embryo quality and pregnancy rates. Results: The various cell types used in embryo co-culture were reviewed in addition to the use ofco-cu lturefor both animal and human embryos. Go-culture provides a method t o enhance embryo development in an inadequate in vitro environment wit hout compromising embryo quality. Human IVF laboratories have used var ious types of ''helper cells'' to improve rare of development, reduce cell fragmentation rate and in some instances increase pregnancy and i mplantation rates. Conclusion: In conjuction with several assisted rep roduction procedures such as IVF, microsurgical fertilization, cryopre servation and genetic evaluation, co-culture may increase the number o f viable embryos for replacement and improve pregnancy rates.