in vitro application of matrigel enhances human blastocyst formation and hatching

background: matrigel (extracellular matrix) can improve the growth of many cell types in vitro. objective: the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of matrigel on the development of 2-4 cells human embryos in culture. material and methods: surplus 2-4 cells human embryos, resulting from icsi, were divided into two groups (control and test). quality of embryos in both groups was morphologically similar. the test group (n=140) was cultured in hams’ f10 supplemented with 10% human serum albumin and 150 µl liquid matrigel. the control group (n=140) was cultured in the same medium devoid of matrigel. embryos were cultured for an additional 4 days and their morphology was assessed every 24 hours. both groups were then statistically compared. results: the percentage of the human embryos that reached the morula stage in the control and test groups were 79.2% and 80%, respectively (p>0.05). however, 36.4% of embryos reached the blastocyst stage in the test group as compared to 5.7% in the control group after 144 hours in culture. this difference was statically significant (p <0.01). in addition, culture of embryos on matrigel and medium versus medium alone significantly improved in vitro hatching (25.7% versus 3.5%; p <0.01). conclusion: matrigel at low concentration enhances human blastocyst formation and hatching in vitro.