Hydrosalpinx fluid does not adversely affect the normal development of human embryos and implantation in vitro

Several retrospectively designed studies have shown an association between the presence of hydrosalpinx and impaired implantation and pregnancy rates among in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, In the present study we have e valuated the influence of hydrosalpinx fluid on normal human embryo develop ment and implantation, Surplus, donated frozen embryos (n = 183) from IVF p atients were used to study the effects on blastocyst development of hydrosa lpinx fluid at concentrations of 50 and 1.00% compared with controls in S2 medium, The fluids were analysed for concentrations of electrolytes, osmola rity, protein content, endotoxin levels, bacterial or fungal contamination, pH and haemoglobin content, There was no difference in blastocyst developm ent in cultures under mineral oil when control cultures (15/42 = 36%) were compared with cultures in 50% hydrosalpinx fluid (32/96 = 33%), The only bi ochemical parameter which correlated with capacity for blastocyst developme nt was pH in hydrosalpinx fluid/medium (50/50%) after equilibration in 5% C O2 in air. When embryos were cultured in 100% hydrosalpinx fluid the blasto cyst development was 14% (5/ 36) in comparison to control 33% (3/9), The or iginal experiment was repeated in an open culture system without the protec tion of mineral oil but still in the presence of 50% hydrosalpinx fluid. Th e rate of blastocyst development was within the same range in the open syst em. In three separate experiments, the capability of expanded blastocyst to implant on multilayer artificial endometrium was tested, In these experime nts, 1/3, 4/5 and 9/9 blastocysts implanted. The present study demonstrates that hydrosalpinx fluid does not generally exert any major negative effect s on in-vitro development of human embryos or on the implantation process i n vitro.