Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

What does an embryo need?

Henry J Leese1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of York, PO Box 373, York YO10 5YW, UK.

Human Fertility (Cambridge, England)
|November 14, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Quantifying early mammalian embryo needs for culture media is complex. This review proposes a strategy focusing on quiet metabolism and matching Fallopian tube nutrient concentrations for improved embryo culture.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Development of technologies for the non-invasive assessment of single embryo metabolism and viability.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Oocyte Exposure to Low Levels of Triclosan Has a Significant Impact on Subsequent Embryo Physiology.

International journal of environmental research and public health·2025
Same author

Determinants of thermal homeostasis in the preimplantation embryo: a role for the embryo's central heating system?

Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics·2024
Same author

The Quiet Embryo Hypothesis: 20 years on.

Frontiers in physiology·2022
Same author

Amino Acids and the Early Mammalian Embryo: Origin, Fate, Function and Life-Long Legacy.

International journal of environmental research and public health·2021
Same author

Glucose concentration during equine in vitro maturation alters mitochondrial function.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)·2020
Same journal

Investigating the effect of preconception untreated subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH above normal range and below 6.0 mIU/L) on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same journal

Does ICSI timing impact cumulative live birth and perinatal outcomes - a cohort study.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same journal

Association between dietary quality indices and female infertility: a population-based study using NHANES 2013-2020.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same journal

Contact experiences among donor conception parties: donor conceived persons, donors, parents and same-donor siblings - a mixed methods systematic review.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same journal

Single mothers by choice in Hungary: motivations for solo motherhood and the importance of genetic ties.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same journal

Donor conception and family connection: beyond genetic reductionism in the postgenomic era.

Human fertility (Cambridge, England)·2026
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Formulating effective media for early mammalian embryo culture is challenging.
  • Defining precise quantitative nutrient requirements for embryos is not feasible due to variable consumption patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the concept of embryo "needs" in quantitative terms for culture media formulation.
  • To propose an alternative strategy for embryo culture media development based on embryo autonomy and metabolic quietude.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on nutrient consumption, transport kinetics, and metabolic activity in early mammalian embryos.
  • Analysis of factors influencing nutrient uptake and utilization by embryos.
  • Consideration of physiological conditions in the Fallopian tube.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Embryo nutrient consumption and transport kinetics are highly variable and influenced by medium composition.
  • Nutrient consumption measurements are valuable for assessing metabolic activity, qualitative needs, and embryo health.
  • A "quiet" metabolic state, rather than an "active" one, appears beneficial for embryo development.

Conclusions:

  • Quantitative definition of embryo needs for culture media is not achievable.
  • A strategy involving reduced nutrient concentrations (mimicking the Fallopian tube), promoting "quiet" metabolism, and selecting embryos with lower metabolic activity is proposed.
  • Embryo autonomy should be respected in culture media design and embryo selection.