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Minimum essential medium alpha (MEM) enhances assisted reproductive technology results. I. mouse embryo study

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Abstract

Purpose

Our purpose was to find a medium to enhance mouse zygote development and, hopefully, to apply the results to a coculture system and to enhance the ART pregnancy rate.

Design

The study was designed to compare different media's support of mouse zygote development with/without serum supplement. The outcome measure was the percentage of mouse zygotes/embryos that developed to the expanded blastocyst and hatchout stage.

Results

(1) Using human tubal fluid (HTF), one-cell zygotes had a 34.6±5.2% (mean±standard deviation) development rate, and two-cell embryos a 86.5±3.2% development rate. (2) Minimum essential medium alpha (MEM) showed the best results (52.2±14.5%) among Ham's F-10 (19.1±6.3%), HTF (26.8±8.2%), NCTC-135 (38.8±12.6%), MEM with nuclei acid (24.6±10.0%), and Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (28.0±20.2%). (3) With the serum supplement, there was no significant difference among Ham's F-10 (21.5±23.7), HTF (29.3±10.4%), NCTC-135 (36.5±6.2%), and MEM (38.8±17.9%).

Conclusion

MEM is the best medium among the six media examined. Preliminary study showed that MEM gave a good clinical pregnancy rate (29%).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrical & Gynecological Associates, 7550 Fannin, 77054, Houston, Texas

    Wan -Song A. Wun & George M. Grunert

  2. Department of Biometry, University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas

    Chuan -Chuan C. Wun

Authors
  1. Wan -Song A. Wun
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  2. Chuan -Chuan C. Wun
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  3. George M. Grunert
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Wun, W.S.A., Wun, C.C.C. & Grunert, G.M. Minimum essential medium alpha (MEM) enhances assisted reproductive technology results. I. mouse embryo study. J Assist Reprod Genet 11, 303–307 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02215717

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02215717

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