Modification of Teratogenic Action In Vitro Due to Reduced Culture Medium Serum Content

Abstract

The ability to control the environment in which embryos are growing and developing by using whole post-implantation embryo culture techniques has led to significant advances in the basic understanding of how teratogens exert their effects on morphogenesis (Sadler and Warner 1984). In the present paper, the effect of altering the serum content of the culture medium on the actions of two teratogens, anti-visceral yolk sac antiserum (anti-VYS) and suramin, is reported. The results indicate that embryos cultured in medium containing as little as 40% rat serum grow and develop as well as embryos cultured in standard medium containing 75% rat serum, and that decreasing the serum content of the culture medium results in an increased potency of the two agents.