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Intrauterine air impairs embryonic postimplantation development in mice
Ruonan Liu1, Yimeng Li2, Yanping Miao1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei, 071000, China.
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|October 17, 2017
Summary
Air bubbles in the uterus significantly decrease embryo transfer success and harm embryonic development in mice. This finding suggests avoiding air bubbles during embryo transfer may improve human reproductive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Embryology
Background:
- Air bubbles are commonly included in embryo transfer catheters.
- The impact of these air bubbles on embryo transfer success rates is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of intrauterine air bubbles on embryonic development and embryo transfer success rates in a murine model.
Main Methods:
- Air bubbles were nonsurgically injected into unilateral uterine horns of pregnant mice.
- Embryonic development, litter size, and embryo transfer success rates were assessed.
Main Results:
- Intrauterine air bubbles significantly reduced litter size and embryo transfer success rates.
- Abnormal decidua and dead conceptuses were observed in uterine horns with air bubbles.
- Air bubbles increased endometrial capillary permeability and decidualization.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine air impairs murine embryonic postimplantation development.
- These findings suggest that air bubbles in embryo transfer catheters may negatively affect implantation and development.
- Avoiding air bubbles could potentially improve human embryo transfer techniques.
