Mouse embryo culture for screening in human IVF.

A system for obtaining and culturing mouse two-cell embryos is described, and its importance as a quality control assay and experimental model for human IVF programs is discussed. Over 2000 embryos from B6CBAF1 mice were cultured in either 115 preparations of Ham's F10 medium supplemented with 15% human fetal cord serum (H + FCS, a human IVF medium) or 18 preparations of Krebs' medium (a mouse IVF medium). No significant differences were noted in mean embryo development in the cultures of the two media. After 72 h in culture, the mean % morula + blastocyst development was 93% and 98% for H + FCS and Krebs', respectively. In 8% of the H + FCS cultures at least 75% of mouse embryos failed to grow to either morula or blastocysts by 72 h in culture, and fragmenting embryos were observed in 46% of the H + FCS cultures compared with 0% and 17%, respectively, of Krebs' cultures. Using this system, no significant differences were noted between control media (Krebs' or Ham's F10) and Ham's F12, Menezo's media, or Krebs' medium exposed to small pieces of a medical-grade silicone rubber semen collection device. However, exposure to several types of Vacutainer evacuated blood serum collection tubes did significantly impair the ability of Krebs' medium to support in vitro mouse embryogenesis.