title: Ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization, and effects of culture conditions on baboon preimplantation embryo development.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of ovarian stimulation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-induced fertilization and efficacy of various culture systems on in vitro development of baboon embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study, animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baboons in laboratory animal research facility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baboons received FSH (75 IU daily) for 7 to 8 days and FSH/LH (75/75 IU daily) for 3 days, followed by hCG (2,000 IU). Oocytes were retrieved laparoscopically 36 hours after hCG. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed on metaphase II (MII) oocytes. Fertilized embryos were placed into different culture conditions and feeder cell coculture. Embryo development was observed through the most advanced stages, including blastocyst formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oocytes retrieved, fertilization rates, multicell embryo rates, and blastocyst rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baboon oocytes (n = 1,924, from 49 cycles) were retrieved. Significant heterogeneity was seen in ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins and subsequent oocyte maturation. The percentage of MII oocytes showed no significant difference among individual female baboons and stimulation cycles. Nearly two thirds of MII oocytes were successfully fertilized with ICSI. Blastocyst rates varied significantly among embryos in different treatments. Coculture with feeder cells in P1/Blast, Quinn's Advantage, and Sydney IVF media generated better blastocyst rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We tested multiple media and feeder cell combinations to optimize culture conditions in baboon embryo culture and obtained a high blastocyst rate similar to those reported for rhesus monkey embryos cultured in vitro, but still lower than with assisted reproductive technologies in women.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Tien-Cheng
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Carlton A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Eddy
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Ya-Guang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Alan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Brzyski
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Schenken
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D010215:Papio; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats