Effect of methylglyoxal on mouse embryogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Methylglyoxal (MG), a highly active and mutagenetic compound, has been found widely in a variety of foods and beverages. We investigated the effect of MG on mouse embryo development in-vitro.


METHODS
Two-cell mouse embryos were divided into six groups according to the MG concentration in the culture medium: Group 1 (control group). 0 mM; Group 2, 10(-4) mM; Group 3, 10(-3) mM; Group 4, 10(-2) mM; Group 5, 10(-1) mM; Group 6, 1 mM. Embryo development and cleavage were compared every day for 5 days.


RESULTS
The percentages of embryos reaching blastocyst/hatching stages were as follows: Group 1, 66.8%/34.2%; Group 2, 67.9%/38.7%; Group 3, 56.2%/31.5%; Group 4, 39.4%/14.1%; Group 5, 11.4%/10.2%; Group 6, 0%/0%. Higher MG concentrations (> or = 10(-2) mM) were associated with morphological aberrations and blocked development of embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
The cutoff value of MG concentration on the mouse embryo development in-vitro is 10(-2) mM. An increased risk of embryotoxicity occurs with MG concentrations > or = 10(-2) mM in vitro. There were no significant effects on the growth rate at MG concentrations of 10(-3) and 10(-4) mM.
Chang
W C
WC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Hsieh
Y Y
YY
Cheng
T C
TC
Chang
C C
CC
Tsai
H D
HD
Lee
M S
MS
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011247:Pregnancy; D011765:Pyruvaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity*
D011765:Pyruvaldehyde