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Embryo Culture pp 97–106Cite as

Media Composition: Amino Acids and Cellular Homeostasis

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 912))

Abstract

Amino acids are beneficial for the developing preimplantation embryo and therefore form an important component of culture media. This chapter will critically review the importance of amino acids for preimplantation embryos and the impact of this research for the development of sequential culture media used in many assisted conception units. The advantages of culturing embryos in a full complement of amino acids, at close to physiological concentrations will be considered. Moreover, the noninvasive measurement of amino acid turnover by individual embryos, a method which holds great promise to assess developmental competency prior to transfer, will also be discussed. Thus, this chapter highlights the fundamental role of amino acids for the metabolic and homeostatic regulation of the preimplantation embryo.

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Acknowledgement

I thank the UK Medical Research Council (G0701153) for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK

    Franchesca D. Houghton

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  1. Franchesca D. Houghton
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Correspondence to Franchesca D. Houghton .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , OB/GYN, University of Michigan, E. Catherine Street 1137, Ann Arbor, 48109-5622, Michigan, USA

    Gary D. Smith

  2. , Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Michigan, Market Street 475, Ann Arbor, 48108, Michigan, USA

    Jason E. Swain

  3. Fertility Center of San Antonio, Medical Drive 4499, San Antonio, 78229, Texas, USA

    Thomas B. Pool

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Houghton, F.D. (2012). Media Composition: Amino Acids and Cellular Homeostasis. In: Smith, G., Swain, J., Pool, T. (eds) Embryo Culture. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 912. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-971-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-971-6_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-970-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-971-6

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