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J Assist Reprod Genet (2011) 28:659668 DOI 10.1007/s10815-011-9587-8
TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS
A potential use of embryonic stem cell mediumfor the in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos
Katherine Gelber & Aileen N. Tamura &
Vernadeth B. Alarcon & Yusuke Marikawa
Received: 14 February 2011 /Accepted: 18 May 2011 /Published online: 27 May 2011 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011
AbstractPurpose To assess the impact of embryonic stem cell culture medium (ESCM) on the pre- and post-implantation development of the mouse embryo, as a mammalian model, in comparison with the conventional culture medium, a potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM).
Methods Development in ESCM versus KSOM was compared in terms of embryo morphology, cleavage, cavitation, hatching, cell number, expression of TE and ICM transcription factors (Cdx2 and Oct4, respectively), implantation, and development in utero.
Results An enriched medium like ESCM can be beneficial for in vitro embryo development when cultured from the 8-cell stage, as evidenced by promotion of blastocyst development with respect to cavity expansion, hatching, and cell division. Such benefits were not observed when embryos were cultured from the 2-cell stage. Conclusions ESCM may augment in vitro embryo development from the 8-cell stage. Using different culture media at different stages may be beneficial to achieve more effective human in vitro fertilization.
Keywords Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) . Culture media . Embryonic stem cell medium (ESCM) . Potassium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) . Preimplantation development
Introduction
Studying mammalian preimplantation development in vitro became a possibility in the 1950s [13], coinciding with a time when chemically defined media were being developed for culture of cell lines. In 1991, Simplex Optimized Medium (SOM) was developed to overcome the arrest of development at the two-cell stage [4, 5]. SOM was later modified by increasing the potassium ion concentration to formulate KSOM, which better supported in vitro blasto-cyst development [6]. Mouse studies using KSOM have made a significant impact on the design of culture media for human preimplantation embryos [7, 8]. Currently, media of chemical compositions that are nearly as simple as KSOM are routinely used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics to culture human embryos.
The medical objective of perfecting a culture medium is to better treat infertility. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have helped many infertile couples have children, and ART...