The role of growth factors and proteins in media for in vitro fertilization

Despite new developments and techniques over the past decade, pregnancy rates for IVF-ET still average only 22%. The quality of the environment in which the pre-embryos develop has a major impact on the viability of the cells. In an effort to mimic the optimal in vivo conditions, various media supplements such as sera, albumin, follicular fluid, amniotic fluid, growth factors, and helper cells have been used. The results with cocultures are very encouraging, suggesting that growth factors secreted by the reproductive tract may play an important role in pre-embryo development. It is the definition and simulation of the beneficial environment furnished by the normal fallopian tube that will allow us to provide ideal pregnancy rates to our infertile patients.