THE EFFECT OF THE ANESTHETIC, PROPOFOL, ON IN-VITRO OOCYTE MATURATION, FERTILIZATION AND CLEAVAGE IN MICE

Propofol is a common anaesthetic agent used for oocyte retrieval proce dures during in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The effect of Propofol in v itro on mouse oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo cleavage was studied. In this study, 551 cumulus-free and 222 cumulus-enclosed ooc ytes from mice stimulated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PM SG) were incubated for 30 min in medium containing 0, 100, 1000 or 10 000 ng/ml of Propofol prior to in-vitro maturation. Also, 325 cumulus- enclosed oocytes from mice stimulated to ovulate with PMSG/human chori onic gonadotrophin (HCG) were incubated for 30 min in similar concentr ations of Propofol prior to IVF. Maturation, fertilization and cleavag e rates were compared. A significant decrease in the in-vitro maturati on rate was observed only when the cumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed o ocytes were exposed to 10 000 ng/ml Propofol (P < 0.0074 and P < 0.000 1 respectively). Fertilization and embryo cleavage rates were not sign ificantly different compared with the controls. These findings give so me reassurance with respect to human IVF. However, further studies on the potential effects of Propofol on implantation and pregnancy outcom e following IVF are needed.