In vitro tagging of embryos with nanoparticles.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an in vitro method for tagging embryos and to compare the development of the embryos after nanoparticles injection versus externally-applied nanoparticles derived from either polystyrene or polyacrylonitrile.


METHODS
Each mouse 1-cell embryo (the selected test-model) was either: (a) injected by intracytoplasmic injection or (b) co-incubated with different nanoparticles at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2 in air. The embryos were assessed after 2 and 6 days of culture.


RESULTS
Embryo development was similar for externally-applied polystyrene nanoparticles and control (97.6 +/- 2.7 versus 100.0 +/- 0%) but different for polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles (90.0 +/- 2.8 %) on day 2. However, the results were similar on Day 6. Injected embryos were linked to lower percent development on Day 2. Few injected embryos reached blastocyst stage on Day 6 after a brief UV-fluorescence exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Tagging embryos by external polystyrene-based nanoparticles was the better method when compared with injected nanoparticles. Larger nanoparticles in microsphere range were easier to qualitate. Inhibited hatching limited their use beyond the blastocyst stage.
Fynewever
Tricia L
TL
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Center for Fertility and IVF, 11370 Anderson Street, Suite 3950, Loma Linda, California 92354, USA.
Agcaoili
Evelyn S
ES
Jacobson
John D
JD
Patton
William C
WC
Chan
Philip J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008845:Microinjections; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry
D011137:Polystyrenes