Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for in vitro fertilization, or for the in vitro culture of follicles, male germinal cells or embryos, said compositions comprising at least two growth factors in association with a compound of the family of corticoids involved in energetic production in mammals. The invention also relates to the culture media obtained with these compositions, these latter being preferably in the form of a lyophilizate. The invention also has for its object processes for the in vitro fertilization and processes for maturation of follicles, of male germinal cells, or embryos using such culture media, as well as kits for the practice of these processes and comprising a lyophilizate as mentioned above and an aqueous solution, if desired commercial, containing other constituents of said culture medium.

Abstract: A device for collecting fragments of walls of internal organs. The device includes a tube having an opened proximal end, furthest from the patient, and a distal end sealed except for a suction aperture, a sealed plunger adapted to move in the tube and connected to the distal end of a rod having a proximal end, opposite to the patient, provided with a griping member and apparatus provided towards the distal end of the tube and adjacent to the suction aperture for enhancing and increasing the mechanical action of collection of the tube on the wall. The surface of the outer wall of the tube, adjacent to the aperture, over at least a part of the periphery of the wall, is rougher than the rest of the tube.

Abstract: A device for the support and protection (1) of a tubular element (2) of very small diameter, particularly of the type of a micropipette, comprising a portion of constant nominal diameter and a drawn out end (3) . The device is a monobloc member, of a material having elasticity, such as a resilient plastic, comprising an elongated body (4) whose dimension in its longitudinal direction is at least equal to the length of the tubular element (2) to be supported and whose transverse cross section has the shape of an inverted U with a base (5) prolonged by two legs (6, 7) , the base f the U comprising on its flat external surface, at least two recesses (9, 10) opening outwardly, disposed in prolongation of each other and being separated by a distance less than the length of the tubular element, so as to receive this latter and to retain it in two spaced regions. Each of these recesses is delimited by two parallel edges (11, 2) extending from the base of the U.