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Exogenous growth factors do not affect the development of individually cultured murine embryos

  • Embryo Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple growth factors on the development of individually cultured murine embryos.

Methods

Embryos produced by in vitro fertilization using in vitro (IVM) or in vivo (IVO) matured oocytes from three strains of mice (CF1, Swiss Webster, B6D2F1) were cultured individually (10 μl) in the absence (control) or presence of growth factors (paf, epidermal growth factor [EGF], insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]). Blastocyst formation, hatching, and blastocyst cell numbers (trophectoderm, inner cell mass, and total) were evaluated on days 4 and 5 of culture. Post-hatching development of CF1 IVO embryos was also evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The presence of growth factors did not improve the proportion of embryos forming blastocysts or initiating hatching for any of the types of embryos tested. The only significant (P < 0.05) effect of growth factors was a decrease in the proportion of embryos that formed blastocysts by day 5 in CF1 IVM embryos. The presence of growth factors also did not affect blastocyst cell numbers. For CF1 IVO embryos, the presence of growth factors during culture did not affect the proportion of embryos that attached to fibronectin-coated dishes, the size of the resulting outgrowths, or in vivo development following transfer.

Conclusion

Combinations of paf, EGF, GM-CSF, and IGF-1 did not improve development of murine embryos cultured individually in a sequential medium containing a defined protein source.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Erik Strait, Caitlyn Graham, and Brittany Winters for excellent care of the mice used for this study.

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Author notes

  1. Jason R. Herrick

    Present address: Reproductive Sciences, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE, 68107, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, 10290 RidgeGate Cr., Lone Tree, CO, 80124, USA

    Jason R. Herrick, Alison F. Greene-Ermisch, William B. Schoolcraft & Rebecca L. Krisher

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  1. Jason R. Herrick
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Correspondence to Jason R. Herrick.

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Herrick, J.R., Greene-Ermisch, A.F., Schoolcraft, W.B. et al. Exogenous growth factors do not affect the development of individually cultured murine embryos. J Assist Reprod Genet 35, 523–531 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1103-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-017-1103-3

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