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Preimplantation embryo development enhanced by epidermal growth factor

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Abstract

Purpose

Enhanced embryo maturity and advanced stages of cleavage at the time of embryo transfer are associated with superior pregnancy rates in in vitrofertilization procedures. This study was performed to assess the potential usefulness of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enhance the development of murine preimplantation embryos cultured in vitro.Two-cell stage mouse embryos were cultured for 72 hr with EGF at concentrations of 0.1 to 100 ng/ml. The percentage of embryos which developed to the expanded and hatching blastocyst stage at 72 hr was determined.

Results

The percentage of fully expanded and hatching murine blastocysts at 72 hr was significantly higher following incubation with EGF at concentrations of 2 ng/ml (44±4.1%; p<0.02), 20 ng/ml (41±3.2%; P=0.04), 50 ng/ml (43±2.5%; P<0.04), and 100 ng/ml (46±3.6%; P=0.001) compared to controls. This effect of enhanced embryonic development by EGF was neutralized by coincubation with 1.0 Μg/ml of anti-EGF antibody.

Conclusion

EGF at concentrations of 2 to 100 ng/ml significantly enhanced the percentage of expanded and hatching murine blastocysts at 72 hr.

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Author notes

  1. Xuanqing Cai

    Present address: Olympia Womens Health, 403 East Black Hills Lane SW, 98502, Olympia, Washington

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Room 22-177 CHS, 90024-1740, Los Angeles, California

    Richard P. Buyalos

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  1. Richard P. Buyalos
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  2. Xuanqing Cai
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Buyalos, R.P., Cai, X. Preimplantation embryo development enhanced by epidermal growth factor. J Assist Reprod Genet 11, 33–37 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02213695

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02213695

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