Effect of different culture conditions on in vitro bovine embryo development

1986 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 182 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.E. Ferguson ◽  
T.R. Davidson ◽  
M.R.B. Mello ◽  
A.S. Lima ◽  
D.J. Kesler ◽  
...  

There has been much debate over a direct role for progesterone (P4) in early bovine embryo development. While previous attempts to supplement bovine embryos in vitro with P4 produced results that vary and are often contradictory, this may be a response of administering P4 at inappropriate times. Therefore, the objective of these experiments was to determine if P4 could exert a direct effect on developing IVF-derived bovine embryos when administered at an appropriate time of embryo development. In Exp. I, IVF-derived bovine 8-cell embryos were randomly allotted to treatments: (1) control, CR1aa medium (n = 168); (2) vehicle, CR1aa + ETOH (0.01%) (n = 170); and (3) P4, CR1aa + ETOH + P4 (20 ng/mL in 50-μL droplet) (n = 173). In Exp. II, IVF-derived bovine 8-cell embryos were randomly allotted to treatments: (1) control, CR1aa medium (n = 160); (2) vehicle, CR1aa + DMSO (0.01%) (n = 180); and (3) P4, CR1aa + DMSO (0.01%) + P4 (20 ng/mL in 50-μL droplet) (n = 170). All embryos were evaluated on Days 6 to 9 post-insemination and rates calculated from 8-cell embryos. In Exp. I, ETOH tended to have a detrimental effect with significantly fewer (P < 0.05) embryos (53%) developing to the blastocyst stage on Day 7 compared with the control (62%) and P4 (71%) groups. At Day 7, significantly more embryos cultured in P4 (71%) developed to the blastocyst stage compared with the control group (62%). P4 treatment significantly increased the number of Grade 1 blastocysts (25%) on Day 7 compared with vehicle (15%) and control (17%) groups. At the end of culture, there were also significantly more Day 9 hatched blastocysts in the P4 group (33%) compared with vehicle (22%) and control (21%) groups. Supplementing P4 in the culture medium increased the rate of development, resulting in significantly more blastocysts (8%) on Day 6 and hatched blastocysts (21%) on Day 8 compared with vehicle (3% and 12%) and control (0% and 8%) groups, respectively. In Exp. II, there were no significant differences between treatment groups for Day 7 blastocysts (control 54%, DMSO 61%, P4 57%) and Day 9 hatched blastocysts (control 46%, DMSO 51%, P4 46%). However, there were significantly more Grade 1 blastocysts in the P4 group (22% and 36%) on Days 6 and 8 compared with vehicle (11% and 23%) and control (13% and 23%) groups, respectively. The lack of improvement in Day 7 blastocysts and Day 9 hatched blastocysts rates leads to further uncertainty in understanding the P4 vehicle interactions. In conclusion, the results of these two experiments indicate that P4 can exert a direct effect on the developing IVF-derived bovine embryo; however, due to P4 vehicle interactions; other inert vehicles need to be explored to further evaluate the direct effects of P4 on the developing bovine embryo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca ALGARRA ◽  
Verónica MAILLO ◽  
Manuel AVILÉS ◽  
Alfonso GUTIÉRREZ-ADÁN ◽  
Dimitrios RIZOS ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Feltrin ◽  
F. Forell ◽  
L. dos Santos ◽  
J. L. Rodrigues

The effect of the microenvironment on embryo development during in vitro culture of zona-free embryos after nuclear transfer is still unclear. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of the dimensions of the well (WOW; Vajta et al. 2000 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 256-264) culture system on the in vitro development of handmade cloned bovine embryos to the blastocyst stage. Appropriately ground steel needles were pressed slightly by hand to the bottom of the well of a polystyrene four-well dish (176740, Nunc, Life Technologies AS, Roskilde, Denmark). Embryos were produced by the handmade cloning (HMC) technique (Vajta et al. 2003 Biol. Reprod. 68, 571-578) with modifications, using primary cultures of skin fibroblast cells from an adult cow as nuclear donors. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were in vitro-matured in M-199 supplemented with 10% estrous cow serum (ECS), FSH, hCG, and estradiol (E2) for 17 h. After maturation, cumulus cells were removed by pipetting. Following zona pellucida removal in 0.5% protease (Sigma, Brazil), zona-free oocytes were incubated for 15 min in 5 mg/mL cytochalasin B (Sigma) and subsequently hand-bisected and screened for nuclear material under UV light after incubation in 10 mg/mL bisbenzimide (Hoechst 33342). Next, two enucleated halves and one donor cell were aggregated after a quick exposure to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and subsequently fused by two electrical DC pulses of 1 kV/cm for 20 �s, in a BTX 453 chamber coupled to an ECM 2001 Electro Cell Manipulator System (BTX, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), with additional exposure to brief pre- and post-fusion AC pulses of 15 V. Reconstructed embryos were chemically activated in 5 mM ionomycin (Sigma) for 5 min, followed by 2 mM 6-DMAP (Sigma) for 2.5 h. Finally, activated reconstructed cloned embryos were in vitro-cultured in one of two WOW culture systems (larger vs. smaller micro-wells) in 4-well plates containing 400 mL modified SOF medium supplemented with 10% ECS, under mineral oil, at 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2, and 39�C for 7 days. In Group 1 (large-size micro-well), embryos were cultured in individual cylindrical micro-wells with an inner diameter and depth of approximately 280 and 250 mm, respectively, whereas in Group 2 (small size micro-well), embryos were cultured in individual conical micro-wells with approximately 130 mm inner diameter and 150 mm depth. Data analysis was performed by the chi-square test. After four replicates, cleavage rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Group 2 (51/63, 80.9%) than in Group 1 (43/67, 64.1%). Embryo development to the blastocyst stage was also greater (P < 0.05) in the small micro-wells (16/63, 25.3%) than in the large ones (8/67, 11.9%). In summary, these results show a significant increase in cleavage and blastocyst developmental rates in handmade cloned embryos cultured in a modified WOW system using individual small size micro-wells, suggesting that a small, tighter micro-well provides favorable in vitro conditions for embryo development.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 262 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Dimitriadis ◽  
E. A. Rekka ◽  
E. Vainas ◽  
G. S. Amiridis ◽  
C. A. Rekkas

The substrates used in in vitro embryo production (IVP) mimic the in vivo fluids in which oocytes mature, oocytes are fertilized, and the early embryos develop (follicular and oviductal fluid). It is well established that oxidative stress negatively affects in vitro culture (IVC) outcomes. Guaiazulene (G) is a component of chamomile species oil with known antioxidant properties. In the present study, all IVP media were modified by the addition of G solutions so that the former exhibited a total protection against induced lipid peroxidation (TPaLP) similar to that of the respective in vivo environment. The IVP outcomes were then compared between G-processed and control oocytes. Bovine preovulatory follicular (BF) and oviductal (BO) fluid samples were collected from 10 Holstein 4- to 5-year-old cows in estrus. TPaLP was assessed according to the samples&apos; ability to inhibit rat hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation, by determination of the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive material. TPaLP (mean % � SEM) of the BF and BO were 70.63 � 10.03 and 16.33 � 4.33, respectively, whereas those of the IVP [in vitro-matured (IVM), in vitro-fertilized (IVF), and IVC] media were lower (17.94 � 1.66, -1.82 � 0.78, and 14.57 � 1.26, respectively). TPaLP of the 0.1 mM G-modified IVP medium increased to 67.2 � 5.85, 19.98 � 2.49, and 69.19 � 6.22, respectively. A total of 2041 class A oocytes were used. The proportion of cleavage, early embryo development (embryos with more than 4 cells), or both after IVP (18 h IVM–5% CO2 in air, and 18 h IVF, 48 h IVC–5% CO2, 10% O2, 85% N) in the presence of G (n = 1237) during each of the IVP phases or any possible combination of IVP phases was compared with the respective control (C, n = 804). Statistical analysis was performed by a chi-squared test; P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. G improved cleavage and embryo development rates when present during IVM (79.4 and 57.8% vs. 64.5 and 38.2% for C) or both IVM and IVC (78.0 and 60.7% vs. 57.8 and 36.5%, respectively). When present only during 18 h of IVF, G had no effect on embryo production. However, an increased embryo development rate resulted from the combined exposure to G during IVF and IVM (56.4 vs. 29.6%), during IVF and IVC (55.3 vs. 35.5%), or at all IVP phases (56.6 vs. 34.9%). The latter effect resembled the one obtained after G addition only to the IVC medium (62.5 vs. 39.7%, respectively). We concluded that the addition of G to IVP substrates, at concentrations that mimic the in vivo TPaLP conditions, could promote bovine IVP efficiency.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
N. Y. Rho ◽  
F. A. Ashkar ◽  
T. Revay ◽  
P. Madan ◽  
W. A. King

Thyroid hormones (TH) play an important role in the physiology of vertebrates, ranging from the regulation of metabolic processes to cell proliferation, differentiation, and embryo development. We have previously shown a beneficial effect of supplementing TH in in vitro embryo production media. Recently, detection of TH receptors (TR) in oocytes and early stages of pre-implantation embryos indicated a possible regulatory role for TH in these stages (unpublished data). The objective of this study was to investigate the importance of TR expression in the pre-attachment bovine embryo in vitro. Bovine embryos, produced by standard in vitro embryo production procedures, were microinjected at the zygote stage with small interfering RNA (siRNA) specifically designed for knocking down either TR-α or TR-β. In addition, groups of zygotes were microinjected with scrambled siRNA (SI) or were not injected (NI), and these groups served as controls. Embryo developmental rates were assessed using light microscopy for blastocyst formation rates and expression of TR messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts at the blastocyst stage was assessed by quantitative PCR across all groups. Expression of TR mRNA was normalized against glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, H2a, and 18S as reference genes. There was a significant decrease in blastocyst formation rates in both embryo groups injected with either TR-α (P < 0.002) and TR-β (P < 0.001) siRNA compared with the NI and SI groups. Moreover, the TR-β knockdown group exhibited a lower developmental rate than the TR-α knockdown group, which indicates a stronger inhibitory role for TR-β. Quantification of the level of TR mRNA expression in four groups normalized with three different reference genes shows a consistent significant reduction in the levels of TR-α (P < 0.05) and TR-β (P < 0.02) mRNA transcripts compared with the NI and SI groups. However, TR-β expression was inhibited more than was TR-α expression. In conclusion, the results indicate that knocking down either TR-α or TR-β restrains embryo development. This suggests that TH play a vital role in the regulation of embryo development through their receptors during bovine early embryogenesis. The specific role of each of these receptors and their mechanism of action in mediating development needs to be further elucidated. Funding was provided by CRC, NSERC, and the EmbryoGENE network.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
B. C. S. Leão ◽  
N. A. S. Rocha ◽  
M. F. Accorsi ◽  
É. Nogueira ◽  
G. Z. Mingoti

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion (O2–), hydroxyl radical (OH–), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and organic peroxide, is a normal process that occur in the cellular mitochondrial respiratory chain (Morado et al. 2009 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 21, 608–614). Supplementation with antioxidants during in vitro culture (IVC) appears to increase the resistance of bovine embryos to the oxidative stress, and consequently improve embryo development and cryotolerance (Rocha et al. 2011 Reprod. Fert. Dev. 23 157–158). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of period of supplementation with intra (cysteine, CIST) or extracellular (catalase, CAT) antioxidants during IVC on embryo development and cryotolerance. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (n = 1132) were maturated for 24 h in B199 medium, at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air. After fertilization (Day 0), zygotes were IVC for 7 days in SOF medium (0.5% BSA + 2.5% FCS) in 7% O2, 5% CO2 e 88% N2 atmosphere, at 38.5°C. The antioxidant supplementation was performed during all of the culture period (from Day 1 to Day 7) or during the first 72 h (from Day 1 to Day 3), with 0.6 mM CIST, 100 UI CAT or without antioxidants (CONTR). The cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated, respectively, at 72 and 168 h post-insemination, when expanded blastocysts grade I were vitrified (n = 91) by Vitri-Ingá® protocol (Ingámed®, Maringá, PR, Brazil). Then, they were thawed and cultured for 24 h to evaluate re-expansion rates. The differences between groups were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test, and re-expansion rates by chi-square test (P ≤ 0.05). The cleavage and blastocyst rates were, respectively, 83.52 ± 4.52a/36.19 ± 3.21a (CONTR), 79.16 ± 4.52a/38.08 ± 3.21a (CIST Day 3), 77.74 ± 4.52a/42.09 ± 3.21a (CAT Day 3), 73.57 ± 4.05a/11.15 ± 2.87b (CIST Day 7), 71.83 ± 4.05a/15.07 ± 2.87b (CAT Day 7). The embryo re-expansion rates were 90.00%a (CONTR), 93.33%a (CIST Day 3), 75.00%a (CIST Day 7), 63.64%a (CAT Day 3) and 75.00%a (CAT Day 7). Supplementation with antioxidants for 7 days of IVC impaired embryo development, compared with addition up to Day 3 (P ≤ 0.05). However, it did not affect in vitro embryo cryotolerance (P ≥ 0.05). Supplementation with antioxidants throughout all the IVC significantly impaired blastocyst rate, probably by exerting a toxic effect leading to an arrest of embryonic development. It is believed that prolonged culture in the presence of antioxidants results in excessive reduction of ROS leading to an imbalance of the cellular redox status. It is known that ROS, particularly H2O2, act on signaling pathways involved in the cellular proliferation and differentiation, in gene expression and metabolism during embryo development. Supplementation with antioxidants up to Day 3 did not differ from CONTR, probably due to low O2 tension, and the presence of antioxidants in FBS and BSA. In conclusion, supplementation with cysteine and catalase during all of the culture period impaired embryo development, however this reduction did not affect embryo survival after vitrification. Financial support was provided by FAPESP (#2011/18257-2). The authors acknowledge Ingámed, Alta Genetics Brazil.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
J. T. Aaltonen ◽  
K. J. Mattson ◽  
N. M. Loskutoff

As described in the IETS Manual (Stringfellow and Seidel, 1995), and endorsed by the OIE, trypsin can be used (for specific pathogens and livestock) to effectively remove certain infectious agents from in vivo-derived embryos for international transport. Because of the multimillion-dollar AI industry for livestock, the OIE has encouraged more research in developing similar decontamination techniques for semen as an added safeguard to animal quarantine for the prevention of disease transmission. Most or all of the earlier studies on embryos used a porcine pancreatic-derived trypsin. Because of more stringent guidelines from international regulatory agencies on the use of animal products, several serine protease recombinants are now available. Previous experiments comparing the porcine pancreatic extract with a recombinant bovine sequence trypsin developed in corn resulted in no statistical difference in cleavage or morula/blastocyst rates. (Mattson et al. 2008 Theriogenology 69, 724–727). An additional in vivo study treating bovine sperm with a yeast-derived human-sequence trypsin resulted in significantly more transferable-quality embryos after the AI of superovulated cows as compared with sperm not treated with trypsin (Blevins et al. 2008 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20, 84). The goal of this experiment was to examine the in vitro development of bovine embryos produced from sperm treated with a recombinant trypsin found in a commercially available density gradient centrifugation (DGC) product (Bovipure, Nidacon, Sweden) compared with DGC without trypsin. Oocyte aspiration, maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture were performed using standard methods in 5 replications (n = 2220 oocytes). Semen was collected and pooled from 2 Bos taurus bulls and frozen in an egg-yolk cryodiluent (Biladyl, Minitube). The semen was processed using Bovipure DGC composed of 2 mL of 40% colloid of silane-coated silica particles containing either a yeast-derived human sequence recombinant trypsin containing no animal by-products (n = 1126 oocytes) or the same colloid without trypsin as the control group (n = 1094 oocytes). Both 40% concentrations were layered over 2 mL of an 80% concentration of the same colloid without any additives. The density gradients were centrifuged at 300g for 20 min, after which time the pellets were washed in 5 mL of prewarmed TL Hepes solution (Cambrex) and centrifuged at 500g for 10 min. The resulting sperm pellets were then resuspended in a volume calculated to provide 1 × 106 sperm mL–1, to be used for in vitro inseminations. Results were compared using a 2-tailed unpaired t-test. Cleavage rates for the trypsin-treated sperm (n = 969, 35.8%) and the control (n = 950, 44.3%) groups were not statistically different (P = 0.20). Although more embryos reached the morula to blastocyst stages in the control group (n = 421, 61.0%) than in the trypsinized group (n = 347, 54.7%), these differences also were not statistically significant (P = 0.85). In conclusion, trypsinized Bovipure DGC of sperm before insemination showed no detrimental effects on IVF-derived bovine embryo development.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Chang ◽  
G. I. Bondarenko ◽  
M. Durning ◽  
K. Vielhuber ◽  
M. A. Garthwaite ◽  
...  

The need for blastocyst culture and post-implantation embryo research has emerged in the past few years. Our objective is to evaluate a novel in vitro model to study implantation and placenta formation in vitro with rhesus macaque embryos under various culture conditions. A novel nonhuman primate in vitro 3-D system can provide cues for implantation and interaction with the extracellular environment not available in 2-D planar models. Optimization of such a model can be tested with diverse culture environments. We developed and evaluated an in vitro 3-D implantation model utilizing IVF-derived, blastocyst-stage rhesus macaque embryos embedded in 3-D Matrigel droplets cultured with different feeder cells and media. Signs of implantation including enlargement of the embryo mass, invasion and proliferation of trophectoderm cell layers, cystic formation, and cellular outgrowths derived from the embryo were initiated within the first week post-embedding. Trophoblast structures with protrusion and branches growing from the surface of embryo implants were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for chorionic gonadotropin (CG) combined with immunoassays for CG and progesterone indicated differentiation of trophoblastic cell lineages. In addition, we found morphological factors, such as proliferation of embryonic and extraembryonic structures, as well as initiation of protrusions interacting with the extracellular matrix, to predict successful establishment of prolonged embryo development. We further evaluated effects of different types of feeder cells and media combinations, and found that a combination of BRL, Ishikawa cells, and human uterine fibroblasts, provided an optimized culture microenvironment to promote peri-implantation embryo development and hormone secretion including CG and progesterone. In conclusion, we have established a 3-D in vitro system modeling implantation initiation, and demonstrating the capability of the embryo to interact with the extracellular matrix. Further studies will facilitate the methodology of peri-implantation blastocyst culture and accelerate our understanding of nonhuman primate embryo development, with potential for insights into early pregnancy loss and related pathologies. The present study and future directions may be extended to provide retrospective views on blastocyst selection for embryo transfer in assisted reproductive technology. This study was funded by NIH grants RR000167, RR21876, and HD053926.


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Heidari ◽  
A. Shirazi ◽  
M.-M. Naderi ◽  
M.-M. Akhondi ◽  
H. Hassanpour ◽  
...  

Considering the advent of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new source of somatic cells in embryo co-culture system, the current study was aimed to compare in vitro embryo development using embryonic MSCs monolayer with embryonic fibroblast cells (EFCs), oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), and cell-free culture system. The IVM/IVF presumptive sheep zygotes were randomly cultured in different culture conditions as follows: (1) SOFaaBSA medium for the whole culture period (SOF, n = 371), (2) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with MSCs for the next 5 days (SOF-MSCs, n = 120), (3) co-culturing with MSCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (MSCs-SOF, n = 133), (4) co-culturing with MSCs for the whole culture period (MSCs, n = 212), (5) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with EFCs for the next 5 days (SOF-EFCs, n = 132), (6) co-culturing with EFCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (EFCs-SOF, n = 165), (7) co-culturing with EFCs for the whole culture period (EFCs, n = 236), and (8) co-culturing with OECs for the whole culture period (OECs, n = 255). One-Way ANOVA by multiple pairwise comparisons using Tukey&rsquo;s test was performed. Co-culturing in MSCs group had no superiority over EFCs and OECs groups. Though, when co-culturing with MSCs and EFCs was limited to the first 3 days of culture, the embryo development indices were improved compared to the other co-cultured groups. Considering both the hatching rate and total cell number, the application of MSCs for the first 3 days of culture (MSCs-SOF) was superior to the other co-culture and SOF groups. &nbsp;


1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 2-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kuran ◽  
M.E. Staines ◽  
G.J. McCallum ◽  
A.G. Onal ◽  
T.G. McEvoy

Ovine embryos produced in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) medium or in coculture with granulosa cell monolayers supplemented with low (A; 120 μmol/l) and high (B; 190 μmol/l) ammonia-producing steer sera caused different degrees of fetal oversize (Carolan et al., 1998). The objective of the present study was to determine whether the effects on fetal growth induced by these sera were associated with alterations in early embryo development.A total of 911 bovine oocytes, used in 8 replicates to test the effect of three culture treatments on embryo development, were matured and fertilized in vitro (IVF= Day 0). Presumptive zygotes were allocated on Day 1 to culture in SOF supplemented with 10% v/v steer serum (SOF+A, n=308; SOF+B, n=302) or with amino acids plus 0.4% w/v crystalline BSA (SOFaaBSA, n=301). All cultures were in 20 μl droplets under oil (38.5°C; 5% CO2, 5% O2; 4 zygotes per drop) and droplets were renewed every 48 h. Cleavage rate was recorded on Day 3. On Days 7 and 8, blastocyst yields, grade 1 and 2 blastocysts, their cell numbers (by staining with Hoechst 33342) and their stage and diameter were determined.


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