FACTORS THAT MAY INFLUENCE THE MOUSE EMBRYO BIOASSAY

The mouse embryo bioassay (MEB) is a biologically relevant means of qu ality control (QC) in almost all modes of Assisted Reproductive Techno logies (ART). Such QC tests are essential to guarantee that all proced ures performed and media used are of adequate quality which would not compromise subsequent pregnancy rates. Although most reports on the us e of the MEB for QC in ART laboratories refer to its use in the QC of other parameters such as contact materials, contaminants and environme ntal parameters of the culture conditions, these same bioassays have b een also criticized as not being sensitive enough to suboptimal cultur e conditions that may affect the outcome of human in-vitro fertilizati on. The aim of this review is to define the conditions of the MEB as a QC Bat as they may affect the outcome of human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).