Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
08:50
Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos
Published on: June 12, 2020
6.3K
Lipid Enriched Reduced Nutrient Culture Medium Improves Bovine Blastocyst Formation
Rolando Pasquariello1, Mingxiang Zhang2, Jason R Herrick3
1R Pasquariello, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, United States.
Reproduction & Fertility
|November 16, 2023
Summary
Supplementing reduced-nutrient bovine embryo culture media with lipid-rich BSA improved blastocyst development. This lipid profile enhanced lipid metabolism and embryo quality, suggesting a refined approach for in vitro production.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Animal Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Optimizing embryo culture media is crucial for improving in vitro production efficiency and embryo viability.
- Previous research indicated that standard culture media contain excessive nutrients, and reduced nutrient environments can support competent embryo development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of exogenous lipid and L-carnitine supplementation on bovine blastocyst development.
- To further refine reduced nutrient (RN) culture conditions for bovine embryos.
Main Methods:
- Bovine zygotes were cultured in control medium (100% nutrients) and RN media (6.25% nutrients) with L-carnitine and either lipid-free or lipid-rich bovine serum albumin (BSA).
- Blastocyst development, cell numbers, gene expression (lipid/glucose metabolism, redox balance, embryo quality), mitochondrial DNA copy number, ATP production, and lipid profiles were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Reduced nutrient medium with lipid-rich BSA showed increased blastocyst development compared to control and lipid-free RN media.
- However, blastocyst cell numbers were lower in both RN groups than in the control.
- Embryos from the lipid-rich RN medium exhibited upregulated genes related to lipid metabolism, embryo quality, and redox balance, with downregulated glucose metabolism genes.
Conclusions:
- Lipid-rich BSA, enriched with specific fatty acids (linoleic, stearic, oleic, palmitic, alpha-linoleic), supports enhanced lipid metabolism and blastocyst development in bovine embryos under reduced nutrient conditions.
- This suggests a potential for optimizing in vitro embryo production by carefully supplementing reduced nutrient media.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...