Effect of serum source on human fertilization and embryonic growth parameters in vitro.

A total of 100 mature oocytes from 13 consecutive patients were randomly assigned from each patient to one of two treatment groups (n = 53 for group 1, n = 47 for group 2). Group 1 oocytes were incubated throughout the culture periods in medium supplemented with 7.5% homologous patient serum. Group 2 oocytes were treated similarly, except the serum supplement was of fetal cord origin. End points for examination included fertilization frequency, normality of fertilization, stage of embryonic development at two time periods, and quality of embryonic development at two time periods. None of the end points examined revealed significant differences between patient serum and fetal cord serum.