title: In vitro culture of preimplantation mouse embryos and day 12 limb-buds: effects of serum and albumin.
abstract: The effects of three different protein sources at different concentrations on the growth and development of preimplantation mouse embryos and day 12 mouse limb-buds in culture were studied. Mouse embryos and forelimb-buds were cultured with a range of concentrations (5.5 to 42%) of either donor bovine serum (DBS) or fetal bovine serum (FBS), or (0.2 to 0.8%) bovine serum albumin (BSA). After 48 h in culture, the rate of embryo development was significantly higher in 5.5% DBS than in all other groups (P < 0.05). The embryo hatching rate was higher in 21% FBS, 42% FBS, and all DBS groups than in serum-free medium, and all BSA groups (P < 0.05). Morphologic analysis of cultured limb-buds at 72 h revealed that total, paw, and cartilage area were greater (P < 0.05) in the serum-free medium than in all other groups. Shape factor analysis suggested that 5.5% DBS was most beneficial to mouse limb-bud development. No differences were seen in DNA or protein content of limb-buds among groups. Results suggest that mouse forelimb-buds can be successfully cultured in serum-free medium and that high concentrations of FBS and DBS may be detrimental for preimplantation embryo and/or limb-bud growth and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology, WCVM, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tornesi
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Palasz
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Del Campo
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Rousseaux
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Mapletoft
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005121:Extremities / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine