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Improved blastocyst formation with reduced culture volume: comparison of three different culture conditions on 1128 sibling human zygotes

  • Embryo Biology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present randomized, comparative study was to evaluate the effect of reduced culture volumes on sibling human embryo development.

Methods

Firstly, sibling injected oocytes obtained from 88 out of 165 consenting couples undergoing infertility treatment were cultured either in large (35 μl) or in small drops (15 μl) of culture medium. Secondly, sibling injected oocytes from 77 couples were cultured either in large (35 μl) or in mini drops (7 μl). Embryo quality on day-2 and day-3 and blastocyst formation rate on day-5 were evaluated.

Results

No statistically significant difference in terms of embryo quality was detected comparing embryos cultured either in large (35 μl) or small (15 μl) drops until blastocyst stage. Similarly, no difference appeared between large (35 μl) or mini (7 μl) drops until day-3, however a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate was observed in mini (7 μl) drops on day-5.

Conclusions

Reduced culture volume seems not to influence early embryo development but a reduction of medium appears to positively affect blastocyst development. This supports the hypothesis that the pre-implantation embryo produces autocrine factors which exert a positive effect on embryo development when culture is performed in a reduced volume.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Mario Terribile and Dr. Vincenzo Zazzaro for their help in preparing culture dishes.

Author contributions

M.G.M. was involved in study conception and design, data interpretation, acquisition of data, critical revision of the article and final approval. G.F. was involved in drafting manuscript and final approval. V.C. played a central role in all laboratory procedures and was involved in final approval. A.M.L. was involved in all laboratory procedures and in final approval. A.C. was involved in all laboratory procedures and in final approval. F.S. was involved in all laboratory procedures and in final approval. E.G. was involved in patient recruitment and preparation and critical revision of the article.

Conflict of interest

The corresponding author discloses any potential conflict of interests for any of the submitting authors, in reference to the submitted material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre For Reproductive Medicine, European Hospital, Via Portuense 700, 00149, Rome, Italy

    Maria Giulia Minasi, Gemma Fabozzi, Valentina Casciani, Anna Maria Lobascio, Alessandro Colasante, Filomena Scarselli & Ermanno Greco

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  1. Maria Giulia Minasi
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  2. Gemma Fabozzi
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  3. Valentina Casciani
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  4. Anna Maria Lobascio
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  5. Alessandro Colasante
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  6. Filomena Scarselli
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  7. Ermanno Greco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Giulia Minasi.

Additional information

Capsule Reducing the amount of culture media does not influence early embryo development but can positively affectblastocyst formation.

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Minasi, M.G., Fabozzi, G., Casciani, V. et al. Improved blastocyst formation with reduced culture volume: comparison of three different culture conditions on 1128 sibling human zygotes. J Assist Reprod Genet 32, 215–220 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0399-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0399-5

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