Globulin-enriched protein supplements shorten the pre-compaction mitotic interval and promote hatching of murine embryos.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Synthetic Serum Substitute (SSS), which contains human globulins in addition to Human Serum Albumin (HSA), is superior to HSA alone as a protein supplement for embryo culture.


METHODS
Development of mouse zygotes to eight-cell/compacting morulae and to hatching/hatched blastocysts was assessed in Human Tubal Fluid (HTF) medium containing either SSS of HSA.


RESULTS
Although there was no difference in the overall blastocyst rate at 120 h in HTF+SSS versus HTF+HSA, significantly more embryos at 54 h were at the eight-cell/compacting morula stage in HTF+SSS. At 120 h, there were more hatching/hatched blastocysts in HTF+SSS, and hatching correlated with SSS concentration. Addition of isolated globulins to HSA significantly stimulated the number of hatching/hatched blastocysts. Hatching could be "rescued" by transfer of embryos grown in HTF+HSA to globulin-containing media and prevented by removal of globulins as late as the compacted morula stage (54 h).


CONCLUSIONS
SSS is superior to HSA alone for embryo culture. The stimulatory effects on mitosis and hatching may be mediated directly by globulins or by other components in the globulin-enriched fraction.
Schneider
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EG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Hayslip
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CC
D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005916:Globulins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D005916:Globulins; D012709:Serum Albumin