A comparative study on the diagnostic sensitivity of rodent sperm and embryos in the detection of endotoxin in Earle's balanced salt solution.

Purpose: The bioassay used by most IVF units to assess culture media is the mouse embryo test. The limitations of this assay are well known. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the in vitro bioassay potential of rodent sperm, in terms of relative sensitivities to endotoxins, and to compare the results with the routine mouse embryo and human sperm tests.