Abstract
Purpose
In search for a new marker of preimplantation embryo viability the present study investigated oxygen consumption of individual cleavage stage murine embryos, and evaluated the predictive value regarding subsequent development to expanded blastocysts.
Methods
In all, 248 embryos were investigated from 2 cell stage until blastocyst stage with individual measurement of oxygen consumption and recording of developmental stage. Cleavage stage embryos and morula were divided in groups according to their oxygen consumption, and odds ratios (OR) for subsequent development to expanded blastocyst were calculated.
Results
Cleavage stage (2–8 cell) individual oxygen consumption was 0.16–0.20 nl O2 h−1, with a significant increase to 0.21–0.23 nl O2 h−1 at the morula stage followed by a more than twofold increase for the expanded blastocyst 0.47 nl O2 h−1. A significantly higher chance of reaching the expanded blastocyst stage was found in 4-cell embryos with high oxygen consumption, than embryos with low consumption (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.04–4.90). Among 2-cell embryos the chance of low and high consumers was not significantly different. The method used in the present study somewhat compromised embryo development (51% blastocyst rate) compared to controls (80% blastocystrate) which could make our results less robust.
Conclusion
Preliminary data from the present study suggest that oxygen consumption in cleavage stage embryos may be an indicator, but a not a strong predictor, of subsequent development to expanded blastocysts.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Danish Medical Research Council, The Beckett Foundation, The Foundation of 17/12–1981, The Toyota Foundation, the A.P. Møller Foundation for the advancement of Medical Science, Karen Elise Jensens Foundation, Clinical Institute Aarhus University and Organon Denmark. Thanks to Morten Raaschou Image House Medical A/S for providing the Fertimorph equipment used in this study. Thanks to Puk Sandager for statistical advice.
Ethics
The use of experimental animals is approved and controlled by the Faculty Veterinary and follows the regulations of the National Committee of Experimental Animals.
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Ottosen, L.D.M., Hindkjær, J., Lindenberg, S. et al. Murine pre-embryo oxygen consumption and developmental competence. J Assist Reprod Genet 24, 359–365 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9138-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9138-5