Peritoneal fluid and infertility: a comparison of in-vitro fertilization of oocytes in peritoneal fluid and B2-Menezo medium

Peritoneal fluid probably has an important and complex role in fertility and infertility. In this study, in-vitro fertilization was attempted in peritoneal fluid and the classical B2-Menezo medium. Clinical criteria concerning male and female fertility and biological factors such as fresh semen quality, sperm survival, sperm-zona pellucida binding, cleavage and pregnancy rates were analysed for each infertile couple. The following results have been obtained. The quality of peritoneal fluid appears to fluctuate greatly from one woman to another. Routine use of peritoneal fluid as a culture medium during in-vitro fertilization should not be encouraged. Peritoneal fluid toxicity may explain some cases of ‘unexplained’ infertility.