organic compounds.In order to explore the source of CAC, samples were taken from outside air, laboratory spaces and procedure rooms, incubators, compressed CO2 tanks and sterile air flow hoods.Certain types of CAC were determined to have an internal source.The aim of this study was to assess whether the emissions of certain volatile organic compounds detected in incubators such as styrene and ethyl-benzene, could be traced to plastic ware used for culture medium preparation or culture processes.Design: Off-gassed samples were captured for a 24 hour period at 37°C from batches of virgin petri dishes and culture flasks in nitrogen purged vessels.Plastic ware was obtained from two manufacturers (A and B) commonly used for human gamete and embryo culture.Materials and Methods: Volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy using cryogenic concentration.Results: All of the tested batches released styrene at levels ranging from 350-3700 ng per sample.Ethyl-benzene and benzaldehyde were also present at levels between 24 to 100 ng/sample.The total CAC for the petri dishes was 2283 and 457 ng/sample for manufacturers A and B respectively.A total of 33 volatile organic compounds were detected in plastic ware; of these, 26 were emitted from dishes made by manufacturer A and 8 by manufacturer B (p<0.01).Flasks produced by manufacturer B however, had significantly higher rates of CAC (15413 ng/sample) than any petri dishes tested.High levels of C8-C10 branched hydrocarbons were detected.Conclusions: Sterile plastic ware may off-gas after packaging and the amount is dependent on brand and type of vessel.Levels of styrene, ethyl-benzene and benzaldehyde are proportional to the total loading of petri dishes per incubator, indicating that their source is derived from essential disposables used during gamete and embryo culture.In reviewing these findings and determining counter measures, certain processes used in the manufacturing or design of plastic ware should probably be considered.In addition, embryologists may assay batches using the method described here or air and rinse plastic ware prior to use.However, the removal of potentially offending material, may not be complete.Additionally, filter systems can be placed in incubators aimed at active removal of volatile organic compounds.

OBJECTIVE:To determine if the developmental potential of embryos resulting from in vivo- and in vitro-matured monkey oocytes could be increased through the use of a coculture system.DESIGN:Randomized prospective comparison of embryos resulting from either in vitro- or in vivo-matured oocytes cocultured with Vero cells or cultured in medium alone (control).SETTING:Basic research laboratory.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:In vitro embryo development to the blastocyst stage and blastocyst hatching.RESULTS:No significant difference in development was noted between coculture and control groups with embryos resulting from in vivo-matured oocytes. However, coculture was found to improve significantly the development of monkey embryos resulting from in vitro-matured oocytes.CONCLUSIONS:These results demonstrate that primate embryos resulting from in vitro-matured and in vitro-fertilized oocytes differ in their culture requirement when compared with embryos resulting from in vivo-matured oocytes.