The effect of a carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on rabbit follicular oocytes and early embryonic development

The effect of a carbon dioxide (CO₂) pneumoperitoneum and its duration on rabbit follicular oocytes was assessed by evaluating fertilization and subsequent embryonic development rates. CO₂ may cross the plasma membrane and form carbonic acid, which liberates H⁺, thus lowering the intracellular pH. There were no significant differences in arterial pH and [HCO₃^-] between CO₂ and air treatment groups, whereas arterial pCO₂ and pO₂ were significantly increased in the CO₂ treatment group. We found that the duration of pneumoperitoneum, irrespective of type of gas used, was negatively correlated with success of embryonic development. These findings necessitate that more attention be given to the gas used for creation of a pneumoperitoneum during egg retrieval for in vitro fertilization and an attempt be made to minimize duration of the pneumoperitoneum.