ABSTRACT
The implementation of suitable quality control (QC) is not only required for the accreditation of a human in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory, but is also fundamental to its success. Several assays have been employed to screen culture media and contact supplies. The suitability of one assay in particular, the mouse embryo assay (MEA), has been questioned over the years. Here we discuss how the conditions of such an assay, together with the stage of embryonic development used, have a profound effect on the outcome of the assay. Furthermore, by assessing embryos at multiple time points during the preimplantation period (rather than simply determining blastocyst formation), together with quantitating key parameters such as blastocyst cell number, it is possible to identify suboptimal components of a culture system. As well as identifying those components that result in outright embryonic demise, under the appropriate conditions the MEA can detect components that lead to impaired development. It is proposed that under the appropriate conditions, the MEA is a useful adjunct to quality control in human IVF, but several assays used in concert are better than a single test.
KEYWORDS
ART - blastocyst - culture - embryo - mouse
REFERENCES
-
1
Nagata Y, Shirakawa K.
Setting standards for the levels of endotoxin in the embryo culture media of human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfers.
Fertil Steril.
1996;
65
614-619
-
2
Rinehart J S, Bavister B D, Gerrity M.
Quality control in the in vitro fertilisation laboratory: comparison of bioassay systems for water quality.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1988;
5
335-342
-
3
Bavister B D, Andrews J C.
A rapid sperm motility bioassay procedure for quality-control testing of water and culture media.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1988;
5
67-75
-
4
Stewart-Savage J, Bavister B D.
Deterioration of stored culture media as monitored by a sperm motility bioassay.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1988;
5
76-80
-
5
Reed M L, Petters R M.
An evaluation of hamster, rat and mouse sperm-cell motility in media formulated with water of different qualities.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1991;
8
41-47
-
6
Weiss T J, Warnes G M, Gardner D K.
Mouse embryos and quality control in human IVF.
Reprod Fertil Dev.
1992;
4
105-107
-
7 Gerrity M. Mouse embryo culture bioassay. In: Wolf DP, Bavsiter BD, Gerrity M, Kopf GS In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer: A Manual of Basic Techniques. New York; Plenum Press 1988: 57-76
-
8
Fukuda A, Noda Y, Tsukui S et al..
Influence of water quality on in vitro fertilisation and embryo development for the mouse.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1987;
4
40-45
-
9
George M A, Braude P R, Johnson M H, Sweetnam D G.
Quality control in the IVF laboratory: in-vitro and in-vivo development of mouse embryos is unaffected by the quality of water used in culture media.
Hum Reprod.
1989;
4
826-831
-
10
Silverman I H, Cook C L, Sanfilippo J S et al..
Ham's F-10 constituted with tap water supports mouse conceptus development in vitro.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1987;
4
185-187
-
11
Fissore R A, Jackson K V, Kiessling A A.
Mouse zygote development in culture medium without protein in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.
Biol Reprod.
1989;
41
835-841
-
12
Flood L P, Shirley B.
Reduction of embryo toxicity by protein in embryo culture media.
Mol Reprod Dev.
1991;
30
226-231
-
13
Gardner D K, Sakkas D.
Mouse embryo cleavage, metabolism and viability: role of medium composition.
Hum Reprod.
1993;
8
288-295
-
14
Lane M, Gardner D K.
Differential regulation of mouse embryo development and viability by amino acids.
J Reprod Fertil.
1997;
109
153-164
-
15
Scott L F, Sundaram S G, Smith S.
Relevance and use of mouse embryo bioassays for quality control in an assisted reproductive technology program.
Fertil Steril.
1993;
60
559-568
-
16
Gardner D K, Lane M.
Culture and selection of viable blastocysts: a feasible proposition for human IVF?.
Hum Reprod Update.
1997;
3
367-382
-
17 Gardner D K, Lane M. Embryo culture systems. In: Trounson A, Gardner DK Handbook of In Vitro Fertilization. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL; CRC Press 1999: 205-264
-
18
Davidson A, Vermesh M, Lobo R A et al..
Mouse embryo culture as quality control for human in vitro fertilisation: the one-cell versus the two-cell model.
Fertil Steril.
1988;
49
516-521
-
19
Chatot C L, Ziomek C A, Bavister B D et al..
An improved culture medium supports development of random-bred 1-cell mouse embryos in vitro.
J Reprod Fertil.
1989;
86
679-688
-
20 Lawitts J A, Biggers J D. Culture of preimplantation embryos. In: Wassarman PM, DePamphilis ML Guide to Techniques in Mouse Development. San Diego, CA; Academic Press 1993: 153-164
-
21
Quinn P.
Enhanced results in mouse and human embryo culture using a modified human tubal fluid medium lacking glucose and phosphate.
J Assist Reprod Genet.
1995;
12
97-105
-
22
Gardner D K, Lane M.
Alleviation of the ‘2-cell block’ and development to the blastocyst of CF1 mouse embryos: role of amino acids, EDTA and physical parameters.
Hum Reprod.
1996;
11
2703-2712
-
23
Fleming T P, Pratt H P, Braude P R.
The use of mouse preimplantation embryos for quality control of culture reagents in human in vitro fertilisation programs: a cautionary note.
Fertil Steril.
1987;
47
858-860
-
24
Montoro L, Subias E, Young P et al..
Detection of endotoxin in human in vitro fertilisation by the zona-free mouse embryo assay.
Fertil Steril.
1990;
54
109-112
-
25
Parinaud J, Reme J M, Monrozies X et al..
Mouse system quality control is necessary before the use of new material for in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer.
J In Vitro Fert Embryo Transf.
1987;
4
56-58
-
26
Naz R K, Janousek J T, Moody T et al..
Factors influencing murine embryo bioassay: effects of proteins, ageing of medium, and surgical glove coatings.
Fertil Steril.
1986;
46
914-919
-
27 Gardner D K, Lane M. Culture of the mammalian preimplantation embryo. In vitro fertilization and embryo recovery. In: Gardner DK, Lane M, Watson AJ A Laboratory Guide to the Mammalian Embryos Oxford; Oxford University Press 2004: 41-61
-
28
Gardner D K, Sakkas D.
Assessment of embryo viability: the ability to select a single embryo transfer-a review.
Placenta.
2003;
24(suppl B)
S5-12
Dr.
David K Gardner
Scientific Director, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine
799 East Hampden Ave., Suite 520, Englewood, CO 80113
eMail: dgardner@colocrm.com
