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Cell allocation in bovine embryos cultured in two media under two oxygen concentrations
Amy Fischer-Brown1, Rick Monson, John Parrish
1Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA. afischer@students.wisc.edu
Zygote (Cambridge, England)
|December 5, 2002
Summary
Higher oxygen levels (20% O2) improved blastocyst hatching and cell proliferation in vitro. While culture media affected total cell number, oxygen concentration showed a trend towards influencing cell allocation to inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) lineages.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Optimizing in vitro culture conditions is crucial for successful embryo development.
- Understanding the impact of culture media and oxygen levels on blastocyst formation is essential for assisted reproductive technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of two culture media (KSOM and SOF) and two oxygen concentrations (5% and 20% O2) on day 9 hatched blastocyst development.
- To compare total cell number and cell allocation to inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) lineages under different culture conditions.
Main Methods:
- Blastocyst development was assessed in a two-factor design using modified commercial media (KSOM and SOF) and oxygen concentrations (5% and 20% O2).
- Day 9 hatched blastocysts were analyzed for total cell number and ICM/TE cell allocation.
Main Results:
- 20% O2 significantly increased blastocyst hatching rates compared to 5% O2.
- Blastocysts cultured in KSOM had a higher total cell number than those in SOF (181 vs 136; p < 0.0001).
- A trend indicated lower ICM cell proportion under 5% O2 compared to 20% O2 (0.323 vs 0.380; p < 0.1).
Conclusions:
- Culture media components can influence blastocyst cell proliferation without altering cell lineage allocation.
- Oxygen concentration may play a significant role in directing cell allocation to ICM and TE lineages during early embryonic development.