88 EFFECT OF BICARBONATE/CO2 LEVEL DURING EMBRYO CULTURE ON EQUINE BLASTOCYST RATE AFTER INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Y. H. Choi ◽  
P. Tinetti ◽  
J. G. Brom-de-Luna ◽  
K. Hinrichs

Equine embryos appear to require a high glucose concentration for development to the blastocyst stage. The complete cell-culture medium, DMEM/F-12 (DM), which contains 17 mM glucose, has been widely used for equine embryo culture; however, in other species, high glucose during the early stages of embryo development is detrimental. To avoid this, we initiated a 2-step system using a low-glucose human embryo culture medium (Global) from Days 0 to 5 [Day 0 = day of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)], with glucose (20 mM) added to the medium in the second step (Days 5 to 10; Choi et al. 2015 Reproduction 150, 31–41). We noted a high pregnancy loss rate (20%) in our clinical ICSI program (Hinrichs et al. 2014 J. Equine Vet. Sci. 34, 176), which used this 2-step Global system. Limited data are available on pregnancy with DM-produced embryos, but in one study, the loss rate was 1/13 (7.7%; Choi et al. 2011 Reproduction 142, 529–538). It is possible that use of DM in the second step of culture would better support normal blastocyst development than does Global with added glucose. However, DM is typically used at 5% CO2, and Global at 6% CO2, so use of both media would necessitate 2 sets of incubators. In the present study, we explored the use of DM in the second step of a two-step equine embryo culture system, under different CO2 environments. Oocytes were collected from research mares via follicle aspiration and were held overnight before being matured in vitro for 30 h. All media included 10% fetal bovine serum. On Days 0 to 5 after ICSI, all embryos were cultured in Global under 6% CO2 in mixed gas (5% O2 and remainder N2) at 38.2°C. In Experiment 1, on Day 5, embryos were transferred to DM prepared according to our standard method, with 14.3 mM NaHCO3 and 5 mM NaOH, and were cultured in mixed gas at either 5% CO2 or 6% CO2. Five replicates were performed. In Experiment 2, DM was prepared by our standard method, or with 24.2 mM bicarbonate and no NaOH. When pH was measured using a pH meter after media were equilibrated overnight, this higher bicarbonate provided the same pH at 6% CO2 (pH 7.3), as was achieved with the standard DM preparation at 5% CO2. Six replicates were performed. In both experiments, blastocyst development was assessed on Days 7 to 10, and blastocyst rates were compared between treatments by Fisher’s exact test. In Experiment 1, blastocyst rates were 43%, 13/30 and 27%, 8/30 for the standard DM preparation in 5% and 6% CO2, respectively (P > 0.05). In Experiment 2, the blastocyst rates were 34%, 14/44 for the standard DM preparation at 5% CO2 and 43%, 19/44 for the high-bicarbonate DM at 6% CO2 (P > 0.05). We conclude that a 2-step Global-DM system can support equine blastocyst production under a consistent CO2 environment (6%) if DM bicarbonate levels are adjusted to balance the increased CO2. This work was supported by the Clinical Equine ICSI Program, Texas A&M University, and by the Link Equine Research Endowment Fund, Texas A&M University.

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 150 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Ho Choi ◽  
Pablo Ross ◽  
Isabel C Velez ◽  
B Macías-García ◽  
Fernando L Riera ◽  
...  

Equine embryos developin vitroin the presence of high glucose concentrations, but little is known about their requirements for development. We evaluated the effect of glucose concentrations in medium on blastocyst development after ICSI. In experiment 1, there were no significant differences in rates of blastocyst formation among embryos cultured in our standard medium (DMEM/F-12), which contained >16 mM glucose, and those cultured in a minimal-glucose embryo culture medium (<1 mM; Global medium, GB), with either 0 added glucose for the first 5 days, then 20 mM (0-20) or 20 mM for the entire culture period (20-20). In experiment 2, there were no significant differences in the rates of blastocyst development (31–46%) for embryos cultured in four glucose treatments in GB (0-10, 0-20, 5-10, or 5-20). Blastocysts were evaluated by immunofluorescence for lineage-specific markers. All cells stained positively forPOU5F1. An inner cluster of cells was identified that included presumptive primitive endoderm cells (GATA6-positive) and presumptive epiblast (EPI) cells. The 5-20 treatment resulted in a significantly lower number of presumptive EPI-lineage cells than the 0-20 treatment did.GATA6-positive cells appeared to be allocated to the primitive endoderm independent of the formation of an inner cell mass, as was previously hypothesized for equine embryos. These data demonstrate that equine blastocyst development is not dependent on high glucose concentrations during early culture; rather, environmental glucose may affect cell allocation. They also present the first analysis of cell lineage allocation inin vitro-fertilized equine blastocysts. These findings expand our understanding of the factors that affect embryo development in the horse.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Moreno ◽  
A. Neira ◽  
L. Dubreil ◽  
L. Liegeois ◽  
S. Destrumelle ◽  
...  

In the majority of media for embryo culture, 2 of typical components used are FCS or BSA; however, the presence of FCS in the culture medium has been shown to have a negative effect on embryo quality and the use of animal-derived proteins in culture media increases the risks of disease transmission through in vitro embryo production. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro embryo culture medium free from FCS and BSA, but with the addition of various growth factors and cytokines (GF-CYK: IGF-I, IGF-II, bFGF, LIF, GM-CSF) 50 ng mL–1 and (TGF-β1) 100 ng mL–1 supplemented with hyaluronan (HA) and recombinant albumin (RA). Bovine oocytes (n = 1043, 6 replicates) from abattoir ovaries were matured in TCM-199 medium with 60 μg mL–1 penicillin, 60 μg mL–1 streptomycin, and 10 ng mL–1 EGF for 24 h at 39°C and 5% CO2 in humidified air. Afterward, the oocytes were fertilized in IVF-TALP medium with 6 mg mL–1 fatty acid-free BSA and 1.7 IU mL–1 heparin for 18 h under the same conditions. After fertilization, presumptive zygotes were divided into two groups and cultured in 30 μL droplets of SOF supplemented with (1) 0.4% BSA + 5 μg mL–1 insulin, 5 μg mL–1 transferrin, and 5 ng mL–1 selenium (ITS) as a control; or (2) GF-CYK + 0.5 mg mL–1 HA + 0.15% RA (M1). Droplets were preserved under mineral oil in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2 at 39°C. Blastocyst development and blastocyst diameter was observed at 7 and 8 days post-fertilization (dpf). Developmental and diameter data were analysed using the Wilcoxon test by using R software. The blastocyst rates were not significantly different between the control and M1 medium: at 7 dpf (22.9% ± 4.8 and 30.2% ± 3.0), and at 8 dpf (29.6% ± 5.1 and 37.4% ± 2.0 respectively; P > 0.05). The blastocyst diameter obtained with the M1 medium was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of the control at 7 dpf (173.3 μm ± 4.9 and 157.2 μm ± 4.1, respectively); however, no significant differences were observed at 8 dpf (190.3 μm ± 5.2 and 179.7 μm ± 5.3, respectively). In conclusion, the FCS- and BSA-free medium with GF-CYK, HA, and RA (M1) showed a comparable development rate to the control medium at 7 and 8 dpf. These growth factors and cytokines in association with hyaluronan and recombinant albumin have a synergistic action by promoting an increase in the blastocyst diameter at 7 dpf. This is fully synthetic method of embryo culture; it presents a valuable tool to reduce the risks of disease transmission via embryo transfer.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Y.H. Choi ◽  
D.D. Varner ◽  
K. Hinrichs

Research on in vitro culture of equine embryos has been scant, due to failure of equine in vitro fertilization to be repeatably successful. We have recently obtained high fertilization rates of equine oocytes via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using a piezo drill (Choi et al., 2002 Reproduction 123, 455–465). Culture of presumptive zygotes in G1.2/2.2 medium resulted in 63% cleavage and an average of 15 cells at 4d, but only 2 to 9% blastocyst development at 7 days (Choi et al., 2003 Theriogenology 59, 1219–1229). In the present study, we evaluated the effect of two different culture media, G1.3/G2.3 v. DMEM/F-12, with or without FBS, on blastocyst development after ICSI. Oocytes were collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries by follicular scraping and were matured in vitro for 24h in M199 with 10% FBS and 5μUmL−1 FSH. After culture, oocytes having a polar body (198/305; 65%) were fertilized by ICSI with frozen-thawed equine sperm using a piezo drill. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in 1 of 4 media: G1.3/G2.3 (which includes 0.8% BSA) with or without 10% FBS, or in DMEM/F-12 with 0.5% BSA, with or without 10% FBS. Culture was performed in microdroplets at 5μL/zygote under oil at 38.2°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2 for 7.5 days. In G1.3/2.3 treatments, G1.3 media were completely refreshed at 48h, zygotes were transferred to G2.3 (with or without FBS as per the first stage) at 96h, and were completely refreshed with the same media at 144h. In DMEM/F-12 treatments, media were completely refreshed every other day. Three to 5 replicates were performed in each treatment, and data were analyzed by chi-square test. There were no significant differences in cleavage rates (59–64%) among treatments. The rate of development to blastocyst, per oocyte injected, in G1.3/G2.3/BSA (1/49, 2%) was significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) than that for the other three treatments: G1.3/2.3/BSA/FBS (9/49, 18%), DMEM/F-12/BSA (9/50, 18%), or DMEM/F-12/BSA/FBS (10/50, 20%). There was no significant difference in blastocyst development among the latter three treatments. These findings indicate that G1.3/2.3 media with BSA only do not adequately support growth of equine embryos. Development of up to 20% of injected oocytes to the blastocyst stage in G media supplemented with FBS, in DMEM/F-12/BSA or in DMEM/F-12/BSA/FBS represents the highest in vitro equine blastocyst rate in medium alone (i.e. without co-culture) yet reported. The success of DMEM/F-12 as an embryo culture medium may provide a relatively simple basis for equine in vitro culture programs. To determine whether this medium was able to support further developmental competence, we cultured equine embryos resulting from nuclear transfer of in vitro-matured oocytes in DMEM/F-12+10% FBS (without BSA). We transferred 4 resulting blastocysts to recipient mares by transcervical transfer; one pregnancy is ongoing at 230d gestation at the time of this writing. This work was supported by the Link Equine Research Endowment Fund, Texas A&amp;M University.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
C. Schwarzer ◽  
T. C. Esteves ◽  
S. Le Gac ◽  
V. Nordhoff ◽  
S. Schlatt ◽  
...  

Human embryo culture media, intended for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), are released for clinical use if they pass the mouse embryo assay (MEA). This assay prescribes that at least 70% of in vivo fertilized mouse 1-cell embryos form blastocysts, in order to grant the culture medium approval. In the fertility clinic, however, human embryos undergo more manipulation than their MEA counterparts through, for example, fertilization by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); further, only a minority of the embryos transferred to the uterus goes on to establish gestations. In this context, we asked if the results of the MEA only depend on the type of in vitro culture, or are also affected by the method of fertilization. Superovulated B6C3F1 mouse oocytes were fertilized by ICSI using C57Bl/6 sperm. Pronuclear-stage eggs were allocated to four developmental environments: two ART culture protocols (HTF/MultiBlast, Irvine Scientific; ISM1/ISM2, Origio), standard mouse culture medium (KSOM(aa), made in-house) and the oviduct of pseudopregnant CD1 mice. As control for the invasive manipulation, pronuclear-stage eggs were generated by mating (B6C3F1 × C57Bl/6) and cultured in KSOM(aa) medium. Embryos were recovered from culture or from the CD1 uterus and scored for blastocyst formation at 96 h of development (Table 1). For these blastocysts, we determined the number of total, inner cell mass (ICM), and trophectoderm (TE) cells (Table 1) by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy (Schwarzer et al. 2012 doi:10.1093/humrep/des223). Our results show that ART culture protocols applied to mouse ICSI embryos are not equivalent in supporting blastocyst formation. Based on blastocyst rates, the ranking observed here after ICSI, reflects the ranking reported by us for IVF embryos (Schwarzer et al. 2012); that is, KSOM(aa) > HTF/MultiBlast > oviduct > ISM1/2. This similarity suggests that the effect of in vitro culture on mouse development exceeds the effect of ICSI, provided gametes are of good quality. From the analysis of cell numbers, we note that while the ICM/TE ratios are not of easy interpretation, the absolute numbers of cells in the ICM draw a clear line between the environment of the oviduct and those of culture media. Irrespective of the ICM/TE ratio, only the oviduct environment secures 8 cells in the ICM (Table 1). Soriano and Jaenisch (1986 Cell 46, 19–29) reported that 8 cells of the ICM are set aside to give rise to the body of a mouse. In summary, the current MEA is a valuable assay to assess the quality of culture medium, however, its refinement is necessary to better model the adaptive properties of embryo culture when different methods of fertilization are applied. Until the MEA is extended into postimplantation development, as we advocate (Schwarzer et al. 2012), the absolute numbers of cells in the ICM may be a better gauge of embryo quality than the blastocyst rates. Table 1.Mouse embryo assay outcomes after ICSI


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-731
Author(s):  
N.V. Sollecito ◽  
E.C.M. Pereira ◽  
J.G.V. Grázia ◽  
B.P. Neves ◽  
B.V.R. Couto ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of embryo culture medium with antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides on in vitro blastocyst development and quality. Oocytes collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured and fertilized in vitro following standard laboratory procedures. Zygotes were cultured in SOF medium supplemented according to the following treatments: T1 embryo culture medium without antioxidant supplementation; T2)50μM/mL Cysteamine; T3)2.5μg/mL; T4)5.0μg/mL and T5)10.0μg/mL of antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides. On the seventh day of culture, the blastocysts were fixed and evaluated for apoptosis rates, number of total cell and inner cell mass cells by means of the TUNEL Test. The use of antioxidants during cultivation did not increase (P> 0.05) the final blastocyst production rate. The treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had the lowest (P< 0.05) apoptotic indexes (4.5±1.1%, 8.4±2.5%, 3.4±1.1% and 5.5±0.9%, respectively) when compared to T1 treatment (10.0±1.4%). The number of inner cell mass did not differ (P> 0.05) among embryos from different treatments. The addition of antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides reduces the apoptosis rate and improves the quality without increasing the total in vitro production of bovine embryos.


Zygote ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 347-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aixa Urdaneta ◽  
Ana-Raquel Jiménez-Macedo ◽  
Dolors Izquierdo ◽  
Maria-Teresa Paramio

Our previous studies have shown that the addition of 100 μM cysteamine to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium increased the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding different concentrations of cysteamine to the IVM medium and to the in vitro embryo culture medium (IVC) on the embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes selected by the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test. Oocytes were exposed to BCB and classified as: oocytes with a blue cytoplasm or grown oocytes (BCB+) or oocytes without blue cytoplasm or growing oocytes (BCB−). In Experiment 1, oocytes were matured in a conventional IVM medium supplemented with 100 μM, 200 μM or 400 μM cysteamine. In Experiment 2, oocytes were matured with 400 μM cysteamine and following in vitro fertilization (IVF) were cultured in SOF medium supplemented with 50 μM and 100 μM cysteamine. In Experiment 1, BCB+ oocytes matured with 100 μM and 200 μM cysteamine showed higher normal fertilization and embryo development rates than BCB− oocytes. Oocytes matured with 400 μM cysteamine did not present these differences between BCB+ and BCB− oocytes. In Experiment 2, the addition of 50 μM and 100 μM cysteamine to culture medium did not affect the proportion of total embryos obtained from BCB+ oocytes (35.89% and 38.29%, respectively) but was significantly different in BCB− oocytes (34.23% and 29.04%, respectively, P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 400 μM cysteamine to the IVM improved normal fertilization and embryo development of BCB− oocytes at the same rates as those obtained from BCB+ oocytes. The proportions of morulae plus blastocyst development were not affected by the treatments.


2007 ◽  
Vol 192 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattias Gäreskog ◽  
Parri Wentzel

Malformations and growth disturbances are two- to threefold more common in infants of diabetic mothers than in offspring of non-diabetic pregnancy. Several suggestions have emerged to explain the reasons for diabetic embryopathy, including enhanced mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species leading to altered activation of protein kinase C. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) addition on morphology and activity of protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ in rat embryos exposed to a high glucose concentration in vitro. Day 9 embryos from normal rats were cultured in 10 or 30 mM glucose concentrations with or without supplementation of CHC, NAC, or protein kinase C inhibitors specific for protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ. Embryos were evaluated for malformations, crown rump length, and somite number. Protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ activities were estimated by western blot by separating membranous and cytosolic fractions of the embryo. We found increased malformations and growth retardation in embryos cultured in high versus low glucose concentrations. These abnormalities were diminished when CHC and NAC or specific protein kinase C-inhibitors were added to the culture medium. The activities of embryonic protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ were increased in the high glucose environment after 24-h culture, but were normalized by the addition of CHC and NAC as well as respective inhibitor to the culture medium. These findings suggest that mitochondrial overproduction of reactive oxygen species is involved in diabetic embryopathy. Furthermore, such overproduction may affect embryonic development, at least partly, by enhancing the activities of protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 3213-3221
Author(s):  
Hieu Liem Pham ◽  
Phuc Van Pham

Introduction: The senescence of stem cells is the primary reason that causes aging of stem cell-containing tissues. Some hypotheses have suggested that high glucose concentration in diabetic patients is the main factor that causes senescence of cells in those patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high glucose concentrations on the senescence of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Methods: ADSCs were isolated and expanded from human adipose tissues. They were characterized and confirmed as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by expression of surface markers, their shape, and in vitro differentiation potential. They were then cultured in 3 different media- that contained 17.5 mM, 35 mM, or 55 mM of D-glucose. The senescent status of ADSCs was recorded by the expression of the enzyme beta-galactosidase, cell proliferation, and doubling time. Real-time RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of p16, p21, p53 and mTOR. Results: The results showed that high glucose concentrations (35 mM and 55 mM) in the culture medium induced senescence of human ADSCs. The ADSCs could progress to the senescent status quicker than those cultured in the lower glucose-containing medium (17.5 mM). The senescent state was related to the up-regulation of p16 and mTOR genes. Conclusion: These results suggest that high glucose in culture medium can trigger the expression of p16 and mTOR genes which cause early senescence in ADSCs. Therefore, ADSCs should be cultured in low glucose culture medium, or normal glucose concentration, to extend their life in vitro as well as in vivo.  


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