Human follicular fluid and mouse cumulus cells act synergistically to enhance preimplantation mouse Balb/cJ embryo development
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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos
Published on: June 6, 2016
W E Roudebush1, A S Levine, J S Lodge
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2233, USA. wer@obgynsun.musc.edu
Problem:
The development of preimplantation mammalian embryos in vitro is less than optimal. Follicular fluid and cumulus cells have both been used, independently, to improve preimplantation embryo quality in culture.
Method:
To determine the ability of mouse cumulus cell coculture in the presence of human follicular fluids to support preimplantation mouse Balb/cJ embryo development in vitro.
Results:
Culture of preimplantation mouse Balb/cJ embryo's independently in human follicular fluid or on mouse cumulus cells had no significant affect on blastocyst. The coculture of mouse Balb/cJ preimplantation-stage embryos on mouse cumulus cells in the presence of human follicular fluid significantly (P < 0.01) improved blastocyst development and the total number of cells per blastocyst.
Conclusion:
Cumulus cells and follicular fluid have a positive synergistic affect on preimplantation mouse Balb/cJ embryo development and formation in vitro.

