Development to blastocysts of one- to two-cell equine embryos after coculture with uterine tubal epithelial cells.
Development of 1- to 2-cell in vivo fertilized equine embryos cultured with or without uterine tubal epithelial cells (UTEC) was studied. One- to 2-cell embryos (n = 26) were collected surgically from the uterine tubes of pony mares 1 day after ovulation. Four- to 8-cell embryos (n = 9) were collected 2 days after ovulation. Presumptive zygotes and 2-cell embryos were cultured with (n = 17) or without (n = 9) UTEC, and all 4- to 8-cell embryos were cocultured with UTEC as positive controls. Uterine tubal epithelial cells were used as cell suspensions within 2 weeks after initiation of cultures. Embryos were cultured to blastocysts or until the embryo had morphologic degeneration. Six presumptive zygotes failed to cleave in vitro. Development to blastocysts of 1-cell (4 of 11) and 2-cell (2 of 6) embryos cocultured with UTEC was similar. Coculture of 1- to 2-cell embryos with UTEC significantly (P = 0.05) improved development to blastocysts, compared with culture in medium alone (35 vs 0%, respectively); however, development to blastocysts of 1- to 2-cell embryos cocultured with UTEC was less (P < 0.025) than that of 4- to 8-cell embryos cocultured with UTEC (35 vs 89%, respectively).
Ball
B A
BA
Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Brinsko
S P
SP
Thomas
P G
PG
Miller
P G
PG
Ellington
J E
JE
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002455:Cell Division; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006736:Horses; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*