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Kikuchi Y, Wakayama S, Ito D, Ooga M, Wakayama T. Optimised CO2-containing medium for in vitro culture and transportation of mouse preimplantation embryos without CO2 incubator. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260645. [PMID: 34941870 PMCID: PMC8699615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional in vitro culture and manipulation of mouse embryos require a CO2 incubator, which not only increases the cost of performing experiments but also hampers the transport of embryos to the other laboratories. In this study, we established and tested a new CO2 incubator-free embryo culture system and transported embryos using this system. Using an Anaero pouch, which is a CO2 gas-generating agent, to increase the CO2 partial pressure of CZB medium to 4%–5%, 2-cell embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage in a sealed tube without a CO2 incubator at 37°C. Further, the developmental rate to blastocyst and full-term development after embryo transfer were comparable with those of usual culture method using a CO2 incubator (blastocyst rate: 97% versus 95%, respectively; offspring rate: 30% versus 35%, respectively). Furthermore, using a thermal bottle, embryos were reliably cultured using this system for up to 2 days at room temperature, and live offspring were obtained from embryos transported in this simple and very low-cost manner without reducing the offspring rate (thermal bottle: 26.2% versus CO2 incubator: 34.3%). This study demonstrates that CO2 incubators are not essential for embryo culture and transportation and that this system provides a useful, low-cost alternative for mouse embryo culture and manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Daiyu Ito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Ooga
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Vajta G, Parmegiani L, Machaty Z, Chen WB, Yakovenko S. Back to the future: optimised microwell culture of individual human preimplantation stage embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2563-2574. [PMID: 33864207 PMCID: PMC8581087 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02167-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although in vitro culture of human embryos is a crucial step in assisted reproduction, the lack of focused research hampers worldwide standardisation and consistent outcomes. Only 1.2% of research papers published in five leading journals in human reproduction in 2019 focused on in vitro culture conditions, creating the impression that the optimisation process has approached its limits. On the other hand, in vitro culture of mammalian embryos is based on old principles, while there is no consensus on basic issues as density, time, medium change, gas atmosphere and small technical details including the way of drop preparation. This opinion paper aims to highlight and analyse the slow advancement in this field and stimulate research for simple and affordable solutions to meet the current requirements. A possible way for advancement is discussed in detail. Selection of embryos with the highest developmental competence requires individual culture and modification of the widely used "drop under oil" approach. Current use of three-dimensional surfaces instead of large flat bottoms is restricted to time-lapse systems, but these wells are designed for optical clarity, not for the needs of embryos. The size and shape of the original microwells (Well of the Well; WOW) offer a practical and straightforward solution to combine the benefits of communal and individual incubation and improve the overall quality of cultured embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- RVT Australia, Cairns, QLD 4870 Australia
- VitaVitro Biotech Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Zoltan Machaty
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN USA
| | | | - Sergey Yakovenko
- Altravita IVF Clinic, Moscow, Russia
- Biophysics Department, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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3
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Ma Y, Gu M, Chen L, Shen H, Pan Y, Pang Y, Miao S, Tong R, Huang H, Zhu Y, Sun L. Recent advances in critical nodes of embryo engineering technology. Theranostics 2021; 11:7391-7424. [PMID: 34158857 PMCID: PMC8210615 DOI: 10.7150/thno.58799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The normal development and maturation of oocytes and sperm, the formation of fertilized ova, the implantation of early embryos, and the growth and development of foetuses are the biological basis of mammalian reproduction. Therefore, research on oocytes has always occupied a very important position in the life sciences and reproductive medicine fields. Various embryo engineering technologies for oocytes, early embryo formation and subsequent developmental stages and different target sites, such as gene editing, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technologies, have all been established and widely used in industrialization. However, as research continues to deepen and target species become more advanced, embryo engineering technology has also been developing in a more complex and sophisticated direction. At the same time, the success rate also shows a declining trend, resulting in an extension of the research and development cycle and rising costs. By studying the existing embryo engineering technology process, we discovered three critical nodes that have the greatest impact on the development of oocytes and early embryos, namely, oocyte micromanipulation, oocyte electrical activation/reconstructed embryo electrofusion, and the in vitro culture of early embryos. This article mainly demonstrates the efforts made by researchers in the relevant technologies of these three critical nodes from an engineering perspective, analyses the shortcomings of the current technology, and proposes a plan and prospects for the development of embryo engineering technology in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Ma
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Mingwei Gu
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Liguo Chen
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Hao Shen
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yifan Pan
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yan Pang
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Sheng Miao
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Ruiqing Tong
- Cardiology, Dushuhu Public Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Haibo Huang
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yichen Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Cambridge-Suda Genomic Resource Center, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Lining Sun
- School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics & Systems, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
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4
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Vajta G, Parmegiani L, Machaty Z, Chen WB, Yakovenko S. Back to the future: optimised microwell culture of individual human preimplantation stage embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021. [PMID: 33864207 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02167-4.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although in vitro culture of human embryos is a crucial step in assisted reproduction, the lack of focused research hampers worldwide standardisation and consistent outcomes. Only 1.2% of research papers published in five leading journals in human reproduction in 2019 focused on in vitro culture conditions, creating the impression that the optimisation process has approached its limits. On the other hand, in vitro culture of mammalian embryos is based on old principles, while there is no consensus on basic issues as density, time, medium change, gas atmosphere and small technical details including the way of drop preparation. This opinion paper aims to highlight and analyse the slow advancement in this field and stimulate research for simple and affordable solutions to meet the current requirements. A possible way for advancement is discussed in detail. Selection of embryos with the highest developmental competence requires individual culture and modification of the widely used "drop under oil" approach. Current use of three-dimensional surfaces instead of large flat bottoms is restricted to time-lapse systems, but these wells are designed for optical clarity, not for the needs of embryos. The size and shape of the original microwells (Well of the Well; WOW) offer a practical and straightforward solution to combine the benefits of communal and individual incubation and improve the overall quality of cultured embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- RVT Australia, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia. .,VitaVitro Biotech Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China.
| | | | - Zoltan Machaty
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Sergey Yakovenko
- Altravita IVF Clinic, Moscow, Russia.,Biophysics Department, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Sadeghzadeh Oskouei B, Pashaiasl M, Heidari MH, Salehi M, Veladi H, Ghaderi Pakdel F, Shahabi P, Novin MG. Evaluation of Mouse Oocyte In Vitro Maturation Developmental Competency in Dynamic Culture Systems by Design and Construction of A Lab on A Chip Device and Its Comparison with Conventional Culture System. CELL JOURNAL 2016; 18:205-13. [PMID: 27540525 PMCID: PMC4988419 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective In conventional assisted reproductive technology (ART), oocytes are cultured
in static microdrops within Petri dishes that contain vast amounts of media. However, the
in vivo environment is dynamic. This study assesses in vitro oocyte maturation through the
use of a new microfluidic device. We evaluate oocyte fertilization to the blastocyct stage
and their glutathione (GSH) contents in each experimental group.
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, we established a dynamic culture
condition. Immature oocytes were harvested from ovaries of Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice. Oocytes were randomly placed in static (passive) and dynamic (active) in vitro maturation (IVM) culture medium for 24 hours. In vitro matured oocytes underwent fertilization, after which we placed the pronucleus (PN) stage embryos in microdrops
and followed their developmental stages to blastocyst formation after 3 days. GSH content
of the in vitro matured oocytes was assessed by monochlorobimane (MCB) staining.
Results We observed significantly higher percentages of mature metaphase II oocytes
(MII) in the passive and active dynamic culture systems (DCS) compared to the static
group (P<0.01). There were significantly less mean numbers of germinal vesicle (GV) and
degenerated oocytes in the passive and active dynamic groups compared to the static
group (P<0.01). Fertilization and blastocyst formation rate in the dynamic systems were
statistically significant compared to the static cultures (P<0.01). There was significantly
higher GSH content in dynamically matured oocytes compared to statically matured oocytes (P<0.01).
Conclusion Dynamic culture for in vitro oocyte maturation improves their developmental
competency in comparison with static culture conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maryam Pashaiasl
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Womens Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasan Heidari
- Department of Anatomy and Biology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Salehi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Veladi
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Parviz Shahabi
- Department of Physiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marefat Ghaffari Novin
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Tokoro M, Fukunaga N, Yamanaka K, Itoi F, Terashita Y, Kamada Y, Wakayama S, Asada Y, Wakayama T. A Simple Method for Transportation of Mouse Embryos Using Microtubes and a Warm Box. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138854. [PMID: 26393931 PMCID: PMC4579141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Generally, transportation of preimplantation embryos without freezing requires incubators that can maintain an optimal culture environment with a suitable gas phase, temperature, and humidity. Such incubators are expensive to transport. We reported previously that normal offspring were obtained when the gas phase and temperature could be maintained during transportation. However, that system used plastic dishes for embryo culture and is unsuitable for long-distance transport of live embryos. Here, we developed a simple low-cost embryo transportation system. Instead of plastic dishes, several types of microtubes—usually used for molecular analysis—were tested for embryo culture. When they were washed and attached to a gas-permeable film, the rate of embryo development from the 1-cell to blastocyst stage was more than 90%. The quality of these blastocysts and the rate of full-term development after embryo transfer to recipient female mice were similar to those of a dish-cultured control group. Next, we developed a small warm box powered by a battery instead of mains power, which could maintain an optimal temperature for embryo development during transport. When 1-cell embryos derived from BDF1, C57BL/6, C3H/He and ICR mouse strains were transported by a parcel-delivery service over 3 days using microtubes and the box, they developed to blastocysts with rates similar to controls. After the embryos had been transferred into recipient female mice, healthy offspring were obtained without any losses except for the C3H/He strain. Thus, transport of mouse embryos is possible using this very simple method, which might prove useful in the field of reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikiko Tokoro
- Asada Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Asada Ladies Clinic Medical Corporation, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
- * E-mail: (MT); (TW)
| | - Noritaka Fukunaga
- Asada Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Asada Ladies Clinic Medical Corporation, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kaori Yamanaka
- Laboratory for Mouse Genetic Engineering, Quantitative Biology Center RIKEN, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Itoi
- Asada Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Asada Ladies Clinic Medical Corporation, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yukari Terashita
- Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuko Kamada
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Asada
- Asada Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Asada Ladies Clinic Medical Corporation, Kasugai, Aichi, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
- * E-mail: (MT); (TW)
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7
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Offspring from mouse embryos developed using a simple incubator-free culture system with a deoxidizing agent. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47512. [PMID: 23056643 PMCID: PMC3467247 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To culture preimplantation embryos in vitro, water-jacketed CO2 incubators are used widely for maintaining an optimal culture environment in terms of gas phase, temperature and humidity. We investigated the possibility of mouse embryo culture in a plastic bag kept at 37°C. Zygotes derived from in vitro fertilization or collected from naturally mated B6D2F1 female mice were put in a drop of medium on a plastic culture dish and then placed in a commercially available plastic bag. When these were placed in an oven under air at 37°C for 96 h, the rate of blastocyst development and the cell numbers of embryos decreased. However, when the concentration of O2 was reduced to 5% using a deoxidizing agent and a small oxygen meter, most zygotes developed into blastocysts. These blastocysts were judged normal according to their cell number, Oct3/4 and Cdx2 gene expression levels, the apoptosis rate and the potential for full-term development after embryo transfer to pseudopregnant recipients. Furthermore, using this system, normal offspring were obtained simply by keeping the bag on a warming plate. This culture method was applied successfully to both hybrid and inbred strains. In addition, because the developing embryos could be observed through the transparent wall of the bag, it was possible to capture time-lapse images of live embryos until the blastocyst stage without needing an expensive microscope-based incubation chamber. These results suggest that mouse zygotes are more resilient to their environment than generally believed. This method might prove useful in economical culture systems or for the international shipment of embryos.
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Goovaerts IGF, Leroy JLMR, Langbeen A, Jorssen EPA, Bosmans E, Bols PEJ. Unravelling the needs of singly in vitro-produced bovine embryos: from cumulus cell co-culture to semi-defined, oil-free culture conditions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2012; 24:1084-92. [DOI: 10.1071/rd11286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Producing bovine in vitro embryos individually is a challenge as it generally leads to impaired embryo development. Earlier research optimised a single embryo in vitro production (IVP) protocol using serum, cumulus cells and oil during culture. As some of these factors are undesirable in certain circumstances, the present study investigated their necessity and possible interactions, and defined their role during single-embryo culture. Although the cumulus cell monolayer produced progesterone, it appeared not to be a key factor in supporting single-embryo development. Because in vitro culture in large medium volumes was shown to impair single-embryo development, two new oil-free culture protocols were tested. Using a 30-µL droplet of medium in 96-well plates with a small surface area resulted in comparable blastocyst rates to those obtained under oil. When serum was used, co-culture with cumulus cells seems necessary, leading to consistently high blastocyst rates. Finally, a serum-free, oil-free culture system using insulin, transferrin, selenium and BSA resulted in embryos with similar total cell numbers and apoptotic cell ratios, but blastocyst rates did not equal those obtained with serum and co-culture. This research additionally stresses the fact that specific interaction mechanisms between somatic cells and a developing in vitro embryo are far from unravelled.
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Rienzi L, Vajta G, Ubaldi F. New culture devices in ART. Placenta 2011; 32 Suppl 3:S248-51. [PMID: 21764448 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Revised: 06/23/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
During the past decades, improvements in culture of preimplantation embryos have contributed substantially in the success of human assisted reproductive techniques. However, most efforts were focused on optimization of media and gas components, while the established physical conditions and applied devices have remained essentially unchanged. Very recently, however, intensive research has been started to provide a more appropriate environment for the embryos and to replace the rather primitive and inappropriate devices with more sophisticated and practical instruments. Success has been reported with simple or sophisticated tools (microwells or microchannels) that allow accumulation of autocrine factors and establishment of a proper microenvironment for embryos cultured individually or in groups. The microchannel system may also offer certain level of automation and increased standardization of culture parameters. Continuous monitoring of individual embryos by optical or biochemical methods may help to determine the optimal day of transfer, and selection of the embryo with highest developmental competence for transfer. This advancement may eventually lead to adjustment of the culture environment to each individual embryo according to its actual needs. Connection of these techniques to additional radical approaches as automated ICSI or an ultimate assisted hatching with full removal of the zona pellucida after or even before fertilization may result in devices with high reliability and consistency, to increase the overall efficiency and decrease the work-intensity, and to eliminate the existing technological gap between laboratory embryology work and most other fields of biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rienzi
- G.EN.E.R.A. Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Clinica Valle Giulia, Via G. De Notaris 2b, 00197 Rome, Italy.
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10
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Noninvasive bovine oocyte quality assessment: possibilities of a single oocyte culture. Theriogenology 2010; 74:1509-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2010] [Revised: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 06/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Vajta G, Rienzi L, Cobo A, Yovich J. Embryo culture: can we perform better than nature? Reprod Biomed Online 2009; 20:453-69. [PMID: 20202911 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2009.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Revised: 07/20/2009] [Accepted: 12/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Culture of preimplantation-stage embryos has always been a key element of laboratory embryology and has contributed substantially to the success of many assisted reproduction procedures. During the past decade, its importance has increased as extended in-vitro embryo culture and single blastocyst transfer have become indispensable parts of the approach to decreasing the chance of multiple pregnancy while preserving the overall efficiency of the treatment. However, in spite of the scientific and commercial challenge stimulating research worldwide to optimize embryo culture conditions, a consensus is missing even in the basic principles, including composition and exchange of media, the required physical and biological environment and even the temperature of incubation. This review attempts to summarize the controversies, demonstrate the fragility of some widely accepted dogmas and generate an open-minded debate towards rapid and efficient optimization. New approaches expanding the traditional frames of mammalian embryo culture are also discussed. Although some researchers suppose that the efficiency of the presently applied in-vitro culture systems have already approached the biological limits, authors are confident that substantial improvement may be achieved that may expand considerably the possibilities of future assisted reproduction in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Vajta
- Cairns Fertility Centre, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia.
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12
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Glabowski W, Wiszniewska B, Kurzawa R. Protective potential of SCF for mice preimplantation embryos cultured in vitro in suboptimal conditions. J Assist Reprod Genet 2008; 25:395-402. [PMID: 18797989 PMCID: PMC2582130 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-008-9248-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2008] [Accepted: 08/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the effect of stem cell factor (SCF) to embryos exposed to detrimental factors. METHODS Mice embryos cultured in control medium or Exp.1. with FasL or FasL+SCF Exp.2. with hydrogen peroxide (HP) or HP+SCF; Exp.3. frozen-thawed and cultured with or without SCF. Immunohistochemistry for Fas and c-kit receptors was performed in blastocysts. Blastocyst rates, total numbers of blastocyst cells (TB) and inner cell mass cell counts (ICM) were determined. RESULTS Immunohistochemical studies revealed expression of both Fas and c-kit in blastocyst cells. Exp.1. Significantly more blastocysts were found in control when compared to FasL group and to FasL+SCF group. TB and ICM counts in control and FasL+SCF group were significantly higher comparing to FasL group. Exp.2. We found significant differences between three groups in all three evaluated parameters. The highest blastocyst rates, TB and ICM counts were found in control, lower in HP+SCF group and the worst in HP group. Exp.3. No significant differences in TB and ICM counts were found. More embryos formed blastocyst in control than in two cryopreserved groups. Blastocyst rates did not differ between two cryopreserved groups. CONCLUSION SCF may improve culture of embryos exposed to unfavorable milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Glabowski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
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