Effects of human sera and human serum albumin on mouse embryo culture.
Human proteins normally used to supplement human in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) culture media were tested for their effects on mouse embryo development from the zygote stage. These proteins included follicular and luteal-phase maternal sera, fetal cord sera, and both human and bovine serum albumin. Our results revealed that both maternal and fetal cord sera did not permit mouse blastocyst formation. Furthermore, predialysis of the human maternal sera and removal of IgG by protein A column chromatography did not improve their support of mouse embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. Similar detrimental effects were observed with maternal sera from term-pregnant IVF-ET patients. Interestingly, these serum samples had supported the in vitro growth of the human zygotes which resulted in these patients' pregnancies. Only some batches of human serum albumin supported mouse blastocyst formation, whereas all sources of bovine serum albumin were effective in this regard. These results raise the question of the suitability of the mouse embryo culture system as a quality control for the testing of protein supplements for human IVF-ET.
Léveillé
M C
MC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loeb Research Institute, Ottawa Civic Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Carnegie
J
J
Tanphaichitr
N
N
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine
D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine