Factors that May Influence the Mouse Embryo Bioassay

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