Effect of mesenchymal stem cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos

Abstract

Summary Despite advances in assisted reproduction techniques, the poor quality and failures in embryo in vitro development remain as drawbacks resulting in low pregnancy rate. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) have been widely used to support embryonic stem cells. Mesenchymal cells (MSCs) have also been shown to release bioactive factors. In the present study we have evaluated the ability of MSCs and MEFs to support early development of mouse embryos. The embryos were cultivated alone or in coculture with inactivated MSC or MEF for 4 days. After 4 days in culture the percentage of blastocyst formation in coculture with MSC (91.7±4.3%) or MEF (95.1±3.3%) was higher than in the control group (72.2±9.0%). We did not observe any difference in proliferation or apoptosis. However, the blastocysts cocultured with MSC or MEF presented a significantly higher number of cells within the inner cell mass per embryo when compared to controls. The MSC and MEF groups presented also a higher cell number and diameter when compared to the CTRL. In summary, our data indicate that coculture with MSC or MEF improve early embryonic development and quality in vitro.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium Modulates Apoptotic and Stress-Related Gene Expression, Ameliorates Maturation and Allows for the Development of Immature Human Oocytes after Artificial Activation

“…As such, the enrichment of MSC-CM may be useful to improve embryonic developmental rates. The differences in the results of Peters et al and our results might be related to differences in vitrification, thawing, and IVM, all of which lead to oocyte injury throughout these processes [ 35 ]. Acton et al noted that the developmental rate of embryos cultured in KSOM Embryo Culture was higher than that of embryos cultured in human tubal fluid (HTF), as the mitochondrial distribution in embryos cultured in KSOM Embryo Culture is higher than that in HTF [ 36 ].…”

“…The developmental rate of oocytes in our study was lower than that in Cobo et al, which may be caused by differences in the type of IVM media used in each study [ 34 ]. Peters et al indicated that the rate of blastocyst formation of MSCs was higher than in mouse embryonic fibroblast medium (95.1% vs. 91.7%, respectively) [ 35 ]. They also described that low embryonic developmental rates may be associated with oocyte quality in nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation; this is affected by the components of culture media.…”

From Implantation to Birth: Insight into Molecular Melatonin Functions

“…In general terms, reproductive disorders triggered through hormonal alterations represent one of the main causes of infertility [ 20 ]; this is why many studies have been focused on understanding melatonin functions during pregnancy [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Development of a modified method of handmade cloning in dromedary camel

“…Suboptimal culture condition and excess manipulation increase the risk of exposure of gametes and embryos to supraphysiological level of ROS which accounts amongst the most important causes of retarded embryonic development, compromised viability and embryo arrest [29–31]. The ROS production patterns during in vitro maturation and embryo development have been studied in mice [29], sheep [30], bovine [32], and goat [21].…”