RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether human hydrosalpinx fluid might have a deleterious effect on the fertilization rate and embryonic development of the exposed mouse oocytes. METHODS: Mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were randomly allocated for exposure to pure hydrosalpinx fluid (100% HSF group, n=400), EBSS containing 50% of hydrosalpinx fluid (50% HSF group, n=320) and pure EBSS (control group, n=300). RESULTS: The results showed that the fertilization rate in the 100% HSF group was significantly lower than the control group (64.0% versus 73.0%, p=0.031). The blastocyst formation rate was also lower in the 100% HSF group than 50% HSF and the control group (51.5% versus 56.9% versus 56.3%, respectively), but not statistically significant (p=0.275). There was no significant difference in the mean numbers of cells in the ICM, TE, and total cell number in blastocysts from the control group and two hydrosalpinx fluid exposure groups. CONCLUSIONS: Human hydrosalpinx fluid has a negative effect on the fertilization rate of the exposed mouse oocytes. However, this effect was found only in undiluted concentration and does not affect the subsequence of embryonic development and blastocyst cell number.