Micromolar concentration of pentoxifylline improves development in vitro of hamster 8-cell embryos: confirmation of biological viability by embryo transfer.
The influence of the sperm motility stimulant pentoxifylline (PF) on preimplantation embryo development in hamsters was evaluated. Eight-cell embryos were cultured in hamster embryo culture medium (HECM)-2, with or without PF (0.023-3.6 mM). There was 90%, 37% and 29% inhibition of blastocyst development by 3.6 (used for human sperm), 0.9 and 0.45 mM PF, respectively. However, 23 microM PF (exposed to hamster oocytes during IVF) significantly (P < 0.05) improved blastocyst development (63.6% v. 51.8%); morulae development was, however, not curtailed by 0.45 mM or 0.9 mM PF (51.8%+/-6.0 or 50.5%+/-11.3, respectively). Post-implantation viability of PF-treated embryos was assessed by embryo transfer; 43% of 80 PF-treated embryos implanted compared with 40% of 79 control embryos. Of the 9 recipients, 6 females delivered pups (19, i.e. 16% of transferred embryos or 53% of implanted embryos). These data show that in hamsters, continuous presence of PF at 0.45-3.6 mM is detrimental to 8-cell embryo development whereas 23 microM PF improves the development of embryos to viable blastocysts which produce live offspring.
Ain
R
R
Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Seshagiri
P B
PB
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects
D003470:Culture Media; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline