The effect of the anaesthetic, Propofol, on in-vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization and cleavage in mice

Propofol is a common anaesthetic agent used for oocyte retrieval proceduresduring in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The effect of Propofol in vitro onmouse oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo cleavage was studied. Inthis study, 551 cumulus-free and 222 cumulus-enclosed oocytes from micestimulated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were incubatedfor 30 min in medium containing 0, 100, 1000 or 10,000 ng/ml of Propofolprior to in-vitro maturation. Also, 325 cumulus-enclosed oocytes from micestimulated to ovulate with PMSG/human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) wereincubated for 30 min in similar concentrations of Propofol prior to IVF.Maturation, fertilization and cleavage rates were compared. A significantdecrease in the in-vitro maturation rate was observed only when thecumulus-free and cumulus-enclosed oocytes were exposed to 10,000 ng/mlPropofol (P < 0.0074 and P < 0.0001 respectively). Fertilization andembryo cleavage rates were not significantly different compared with thecontrols. These findings give some reassurance with respect to human IVF.However, further studies on the potential effects of Propofol onimplantation and pregnancy outcome following IVF are needed.