Covering embryo cultures with mineral oil alters embryo growth by acting as a sink for an embryotoxic substance.
OBJECTIVE
Assisted reproductive technologies require the use of culture media for gametes and embryos. Culture media and conditions intended for use in human in vitro fertilization are tested prior to use by evaluating their ability to support normal development of mouse embryos.


RESULTS
Development to blastocysts of two-cell mouse embryos was equivalent for embryos cultured in center well dishes alone (93 +/- 10%, mean +/- SD) and embryos cultured in center well dishes with an overlay of 1 ml of mineral oil (94 +/- 5%). In contrast, no development of two-cell-stage mouse embryos occurred in an embryotoxic medium when cultured in center well dishes. However, when this medium was covered with an overlay of mineral oil, development to blastocyst was no different than that of controls (96 +/- 5%). Similar results were found with cultures of one-cell-stage mouse embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that in some circumstances the presence of mineral oil can significantly alter the outcome of embryo culture. Further, these results reinforce the necessity of directly testing the exact culture conditions to be used for assisted reproductive technologies.
Miller
K F
KF
Department of Gynecology (A-81), Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
Goldberg
J M
JM
Collins
R L
RL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D003470:Culture Media; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D008899:Mineral Oil