Effect of different co-culture systems in early human embryo development.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different culture systems on the development of early human embryos in vitro. A total of 460 fertilized oocytes from 82 cycles of patients was transferred into one of four systems: (1) into droplets of Ham's F10 medium + 12% normal human serum (NHS); (2) co-cultured on a human granulosa monolayer; (3) co-cultured with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC); or (4) co-cultured with bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUEC). The percentage of cleavage and the morphological appearance of embryos were recorded daily for 72 h in each system using an inverted phase-contrast microscope. The results showed that the proportions of the fertilized oocytes which developed to the four-cell stage 48 h after retrieval were, by culture system: (1) 70% (84/120); (2) 74% (85/115); (3) 78% (91/117); and (4) 76% (82/108). At 72 h after retrieval, the proportions of the eight-cell stage were, by culture system: (1) 45% (38/84); (2) 62% (53/85); (3) 75% (68/91); and (4) 70% (57/82). We concluded that a higher proportion of fertilized oocytes developed to embryos at the eight-cell stage in systems 2, 3 and 4 than in system 1. This indicates the beneficial effect of co-culture of human embryos with granulosa cell, BOEC and BUEC monolayers, which may be due to various factors.
Feng
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HL
Department of Urology, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, 3 RCP, Iowa City, IA 52242-1089, USA.
Wen
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XH
Presser
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D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006107:Granulosa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology; D015053:Zygote / Q000166:cytology
D003470:Culture Media; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; C083923:nutrient mixture F-10 Ham