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Hawkins J, Miao X, Cui W, Sun Y. Surface functionalization of poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates facilitates culture of pre-implantation mouse embryos by blocking non-selective adsorption. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210929. [PMID: 35382579 PMCID: PMC8984368 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is widely used in biomedical settings such as microfluidics for its optical transparency, castability, gas permeability and relative biocompatibility. While PDMS devices with certain modifications or treatments have been used for mammalian pre-implantation embryo culture, it is unclear why native PDMS leads to significant embryo death. In this study, we employ Nile Red as a model hydrophobic small molecule to demonstrate that significant hydrophobic sequestration occurs on native PDMS substrates even with a bovine serum albumin-containing KSOM pre-equilibration. Our results suggest that this small molecule sequestration has detrimental effects on mouse embryo development in PDMS static culture wells, with 0% blastocyst development rates from embryos cultured on native PDMS. We found that prior saturation of the PDMS culture well with water vapour only rescues about 10% of blastocyst development rates, indicating osmolality alone is not responsible for the high rates of embryo arrest. We also present a safe and simple Pluronic F127 pretreatment for PDMS substrates that successfully circumvented the harmful effects of native PDMS, achieving a blastocyst and implantation rate akin to that of our polystyrene controls. Our results call into question how researchers and clinicians can account for the alterations in medium composition and embryo secretions when using hydrophobic substrates, especially in the mammalian embryo culture setting where minimum effective concentrations of peptides and amino acids are commonplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamar Hawkins
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Xiaosu Miao
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Animal Models Core Facility, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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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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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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Wang Y, Wang S, Qian X, Kuai Y, Xu Y. The Inclusion Principles of Human Embryos in the WOW-Based Time-Lapse System: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:549216. [PMID: 34381419 PMCID: PMC8350438 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.549216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A time-lapse system (TLS) with a well-of-the-well (WOW) dish, which allows individual identification and the possibility of autocrine and paracrine signaling between group-cultured embryos, has been widely used in clinic. However, there is a need to re-think the inclusion principles of human embryos in WOW-based TLS, especially for grade IV (G4) embryos, which are considered to potentially have detrimental effects on surrounding embryos. Here, we carried out a single-center, large-cohort, retrospective study, comprising 303 patients undergoing IVF (148 cases) and ICSI (155 cases), with a total of 3282 embryos, to compare embryonic development until the blastocyst stage in the group culture system with or without G4 embryos. Further, LC-MS/MS was used to analyze the G1-G4 embryo secretome to understand the influence of G4 embryos on the group culture microenvironment. We proved that polypronuclear (PPN) embryos positively contribute to the development of the neighboring embryos through secretion of ILIAP, ITI-H4, and keratin. Existence of more than one G4 embryo had a negative effect on the other embryos (p < 0.05). Moreover, G4 embryos were found to secrete KLKB1 and VTDB, which might harm the neighboring embryos. Thus, our study clarified that when embryos are subjected to group culture in WOW-based TLS, the PPN-derived embryos need not be removed, and it is important to ensure that no more than one G4 embryo is present to avoid negative effects on the neighboring embryos.
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Aboelenain M, El Domany WB, Eldoumani H, Khalil WA. Antioxidant response element activator, BTZO-1, improves the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1021-1024. [PMID: 32473610 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation may disrupt the oocytes function and their competence. In this study, we introduced BTZO-1, a new supplement that can regulate the oxidative stress. Addition of BTZO-1 during IVM of bovine oocytes improved their developmental competence in the term of improvement of blastocyst rates. In addition, the quality of the produced embryos was improved by decreasing the apoptosis level by showing a decreased number of TUNNEL positive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Aboelenain
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.,Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Wael B El Domany
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Haitham Eldoumani
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Wael A Khalil
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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A microwell culture system that allows group culture and is compatible with human single media. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:1869-1880. [PMID: 29998386 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A microwell culture system that facilitates group culture, such as well-of-the-well (WOW), improves embryonic development in an individual culture. We examined the effect of WOW on embryonic development in vitro with commercially available human single culture media. METHODS Using four different commercial human single culture media, in vitro development and imprinted gene expression of bovine embryos cultured in WOW were compared to droplet culture (one zygote per drop). To determine the effects of microwell and group culture on embryonic development, different numbers of embryos were cultured in droplet or WOW. Diffusion simulation of accumulating metabolites was conducted using the finite volume method. RESULTS WOW had a positive effect on bovine embryonic development, regardless of the type of single culture media. Imprinted gene expression was not different between droplet- and WOW-derived blastocysts. The microwell and group cultures in WOW showed a significant positive effect on the rate of total blastocysts and the rate of development to the expanded and hatching blastocyst stages. The assumed cumulative metabolite concentration of WOW with one embryo was 1.47 times higher than that of droplet culture with one embryo. Furthermore, the concentration of WOW with three embryos was 1.54 times higher than that of WOW with one embryo. CONCLUSIONS In using human single culture media, a microwell culture system that allows group culture could be a powerful clinical tool for improving the success of assisted reproductive technologies.
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Park MJ, Kim EY, Kang MJ, Lee JB, Jeong CJ, Park SP. Investigation of the Developmental Potential and Developmental Kinetics of Bovine Parthenogenetic and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos Using a Time-Lapse Monitoring System. Cell Reprogram 2017. [DOI: 10.1089/cell.2017.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jee Park
- Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
- Mirae Cell Bio, Inc., Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
- Mirae Cell Bio, Inc., Seoul, Korea
| | - Man-Jong Kang
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | | | | | - Se-Pill Park
- Jeju National University Stem Cell Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
- Mirae Cell Bio, Inc., Seoul, Korea
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Kelley RL, Gardner DK. In vitro culture of individual mouse preimplantation embryos: the role of embryo density, microwells, oxygen, timing and conditioned media. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 34:441-454. [PMID: 28268069 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Single embryo culture is suboptimal compared with group culture, but necessary for embryo monitoring, and culture systems should be improved for single embryos. Pronucleate mouse embryos were used to assess the effect of culture conditions on single embryo development. Single culture either before or after compaction reduced cell numbers (112.2 ± 3.1; 110.2 ± 3.5) compared with group culture throughout (127.0 ± 3.4; P < 0.05). Reduction of media volume from 20 µl to 2 µl increased blastocyst cell numbers in single embryos cultured in 5% oxygen (84.4 ± 3.2 versus 97.8 ± 2.8; P < 0.05), but not in 20% oxygen (55.2 ± 2.9 versus 57.1 ± 2.8). Culture in microwell plates for the EmbryoScope and Primo Vision time-lapse systems changed cleavage timings and increased inner cell mass cell number (24.1 ± 1.0; 23.4 ± 1.2) compared with a 2 µl microdrop (18.4 ± 1.0; P < 0.05). Addition of embryo-conditioned media to single embryos increased hatching rate and blastocyst cell number (91.5 ± 4.7 versus 113.1 ± 4.4; P < 0.01). Single culture before or after compaction is therefore detrimental; oxygen, media volume and microwells influence single embryo development; and embryo-conditioned media may substitute for group culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Kelley
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Kang SS, Koyama K, Huang W, Yang Y, Yanagawa Y, Takahashi Y, Nagano M. Addition of D-penicillamine, hypotaurine, and epinephrine (PHE) mixture to IVF medium maintains motility and longevity of bovine sperm and enhances stable production of blastocysts in vitro. J Reprod Dev 2014; 61:99-105. [PMID: 25501343 PMCID: PMC4410307 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2014-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to establish an efficient system for bovine embryo production by in vitro fertilization (IVF) that can achieve stable normal fertilization and blastocyst developmental rates in any bull without optimization of the sperm concentration in IVF medium. We examined the effects of a PHE mixture (20 μM D-penicillamine, 10 μM hypotaurine and 1 μM epinephrine), theophylline (2.5 mM), and sperm concentration (1, 2 or 5 × 106 cells/ml) on fertilization and blastocyst developmental rates. High cleavage rates (78.3 to 92.4%) and blastocyst developmental rates (31.9 to 62.0%) at day 7 were obtained in the presence of PHE and theophylline in IVF medium with a sperm concentration of 2 × 106 cells/ml using sperm from 9 bulls. In addition, the synergistic effect of PHE and theophylline on normal fertilization (2 pronuclei) was clarified at 12 h after IVF with a sperm concentration of 1 × 106 cells/ml. Moreover, high
linearity, high flagellar beat cross frequency, and low amplitude of lateral head of motile sperm were found by computer-assisted sperm analysis. In conclusion, the combination of the PHE mixture and theophylline synergistically accelerates sperm motility and sperm penetration of bovine oocytes. Theophylline activates sperm motility with increasing intracellular cAMP. However, PHE prevents an excessive increase of cAMP and maintains sperm motility without hyperactivation. When the combination of PHE and theophylline is added to IVF medium at a sperm concentration of 2 × 106 cells/ml, we can achieve stable normal fertilization and blastocyst development in any bull.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Sik Kang
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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Minasi MG, Fabozzi G, Casciani V, Lobascio AM, Colasante A, Scarselli F, Greco E. Improved blastocyst formation with reduced culture volume: comparison of three different culture conditions on 1128 sibling human zygotes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2014; 32:215-20. [PMID: 25491125 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-014-0399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the present randomized, comparative study was to evaluate the effect of reduced culture volumes on sibling human embryo development. METHODS Firstly, sibling injected oocytes obtained from 88 out of 165 consenting couples undergoing infertility treatment were cultured either in large (35 μl) or in small drops (15 μl) of culture medium. Secondly, sibling injected oocytes from 77 couples were cultured either in large (35 μl) or in mini drops (7 μl). Embryo quality on day-2 and day-3 and blastocyst formation rate on day-5 were evaluated. RESULTS No statistically significant difference in terms of embryo quality was detected comparing embryos cultured either in large (35 μl) or small (15 μl) drops until blastocyst stage. Similarly, no difference appeared between large (35 μl) or mini (7 μl) drops until day-3, however a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate was observed in mini (7 μl) drops on day-5. CONCLUSIONS Reduced culture volume seems not to influence early embryo development but a reduction of medium appears to positively affect blastocyst development. This supports the hypothesis that the pre-implantation embryo produces autocrine factors which exert a positive effect on embryo development when culture is performed in a reduced volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giulia Minasi
- Centre For Reproductive Medicine, European Hospital, Via Portuense 700, 00149, Rome, Italy,
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