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A potential use of embryonic stem cell medium for the in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos

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Abstract

Purpose

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.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by NIH grants (P20RR024206 to VBA; G12RR003061 and P20RR016453 to the JABSOM Imaging Core).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, 651 Ilalo St., Biosciences Building, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Katherine Gelber, Aileen N. Tamura, Vernadeth B. Alarcon & Yusuke Marikawa

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  1. Katherine Gelber
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  2. Aileen N. Tamura
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  3. Vernadeth B. Alarcon
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  4. Yusuke Marikawa
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Correspondence to Yusuke Marikawa.

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Capsule

Blastocyst development is enhanced when embryos are cultured from the 8-cell stage in the embryonic stem cell culture medium, compared to conventional KSOM medium.

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Gelber, K., Tamura, A.N., Alarcon, V.B. et al. A potential use of embryonic stem cell medium for the in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 659–668 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9587-8

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