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In vitro Fertilization of Mammalian Eggs

Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

Abstract

The first attempt to fertilize mammalian eggs in vitro was made about 90 yr. ago, and the serious investigation of this problem was carried out about 30 yr. ago. Owing to overeagerness, the incomplete conception of the criteria of fertilization, and the lack of confirmation of the results, the likelihood of fertilization in vitro was still not acceptable. But we have learned a great deal from these masters. Before the recognition of capacitation some part of fertilization in vitro may have been achieved by some workers, but this was accomplished with certainty in the rabbit only after the recognition of the necessity for capacitation of sperm, about 16 yr. ago. The application of mineral oil on the preparation and the introduction of tubal or uterine fluid in the preparation appear to be beneficial for the successful fertilization in vitro.The successful fertilization of hamster eggs in vitro, and its confirmation in this year, leads us to look forward to the successful fertilization in vitro in other species. This depends on the achievement of capacitation of sperm in vitro, proper preparation of chemical media for the manipulation of sperm or egg at any stage and the best experimental procedure and conditions. Although the practical application of these techniques is still far off, with the present knowledge at our disposal, we anticipate a further clarification of the physiological and biological mechanisms involved in mammalian fertilization, particularly the reaction between sperm and eggs, the mechanism of sperm capacitation, the mechanism of sperm penetration, the behavior of pronuclei, and the integration of paternal and maternal materials within the egg.

¹ Research Career Awardee of NICHD, PHS (K6-HD-18,334).