ISSN:
1573-7330
Keywords:
epidermal growth factor
;
preimplantation embryo development
;
in vitro fertilization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Purpose Enhanced embryo maturity and advanced stages of cleavage at the time of embryo transfer are associated with superior pregnancy rates in in vitrofertilization procedures. This study was performed to assess the potential usefulness of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enhance the development of murine preimplantation embryos cultured in vitro.Two-cell stage mouse embryos were cultured for 72 hr with EGF at concentrations of 0.1 to 100 ng/ml. The percentage of embryos which developed to the expanded and hatching blastocyst stage at 72 hr was determined. Results The percentage of fully expanded and hatching murine blastocysts at 72 hr was significantly higher following incubation with EGF at concentrations of 2 ng/ml (44±4.1%; p〈0.02), 20 ng/ml (41±3.2%; P=0.04), 50 ng/ml (43±2.5%; P〈0.04), and 100 ng/ml (46±3.6%; P=0.001) compared to controls. This effect of enhanced embryonic development by EGF was neutralized by coincubation with 1.0 Μg/ml of anti-EGF antibody. Conclusion EGF at concentrations of 2 to 100 ng/ml significantly enhanced the percentage of expanded and hatching murine blastocysts at 72 hr.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02213695
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