Improved development of human embryos in vitro by a human oviductal cell co-culture system.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of co-culture with human oviductal cells on human embryos. Spare embryos from gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT), pronuclear stage transfer (PROST) and in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF/ET) programmes were either cultured in serum-supplemented Earle's balanced salt solution alone, or co-cultured in the same solution with oviductal cells from the pronuclear stage (day 1 post-insemination) or two- to four-cell stage (day 2 post-insemination). The co-cultured embryos appeared to have a higher developmental potential (higher rate of blastocyst formation and lower fragmentation rate), although there was no statistical difference in their rate of development, degree of fragmentation and stages attained, when compared with conventionally cultured embryos. The percentage of hatching blastocysts was significantly higher (P less than 0.05, Fisher's exact test) for embryos co-cultured from day 1 post-insemination (38%) than for embryos which had not been co-cultured (7%). The blastocyst hatching rate for embryos co-cultured from day 2 post-insemination was 15%. It was therefore concluded that co-culture of human embryos with oviductal cells could improve the development of the embryos in vitro. The degree of improvement was more pronounced when the co-culture started at an earlier stage.     

Pregnancy and birth resulting from transfer of a blastocyst observed to have one pronucleus at the time of examination for fertilization.

This case report describes a successful full-term pregnancy and birth after the transfer of a zona-free blastocyst derived from an oocyte observed at fertilization check as having only one distinct pronucleus (PN). The patient had previously undergone four in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and three frozen embryo transfer cycles, with one pregnancy resulting. In this IVF cycle, 7/19 oocytes were fertilized exhibiting two distinct PN; however, all these oocyctes failed to develop in culture and had arrested or totally fragmented by day 6 after insemination. One oocyte (1/19) displayed only one PN 18 h after insemination, but culture of this oocyte led to development of an early cavitating blastocyst by day 6. Since no other embryos were available for transfer to the patient, this embryo was transferred, resulting in a full-term pregnancy with delivery of a normal healthy boy. Observation of a single PN at the normal time of fertilization assessment would not appear to be an absolute indicator of developmental incompetence. In-vitro culture to 6 days post-insemination provides the opportunity to assess embryological development after activation of the embryonic genome. Formation of a morphologically normal blastocyst may be an indicator of a fertilized embryo with normal developmental capacity.     

Temporal effects of taurine on mouse preimplantation development in vitro.

Previously it has been shown that significantly more 2-cell mouse embryos reach the blastocyst stage when cultured in medium supplemented with taurine. In this study, in-vitro fertilized zygotes from a hybrid mouse strain were used to examine the temporal effects of 10 mM taurine on embryonic development in vitro during the preimplantation period. Taurine exerted its beneficial effect exclusively during the first 2 days post-insemination. The effect of taurine on blastocyst formation appeared to be restricted mostly to the period 20-48 h after fertilization, during which time mouse embryos are at the two-cell stage. Although more blastocysts were found when embryos were cultured in taurine-containing medium from 5 to 20 h post-insemination, this difference was not significant compared to the number of blastocysts when embryos were cultured without taurine. Taurine did not appear to affect the two-cell block of mouse embryos from random-bred strains.     

Non-invasive measurement of pyruvate and glucose uptake and lactate production by single human preimplantation embryos

The consumption of pyruvate and glucose and the production of lactate by 40 single human preimplantation embryos has been measured using a non-invasive technique. Twelve of the embryos showed abnormal fertilization. Of the 28 normally fertilized embryos, nine (32%) developed to the blastocyst stage in culture while the remainder degenerated or arrested during cleavage. In the normal embryos, pyruvate uptake exceeded that of glucose in the early developmental stages (days 2-5 post-insemination) before glucose became the predominant substrate in the blastocyst (day 6). Considerable quantities of lactate were formed throughout development, rising from a value of 43.6 pmol/embryo/h on day 2.5 to 95.4 pmol/embryo/h on day 5.5. The values of pyruvate and glucose uptake and lactate production of those embryos which arrested were below those which developed normally. On the basis that one mole of glucose can give rise to two moles of lactate, only 50% of the lactate produced could be accounted for in terms of glucose uptake from the medium. This figure rose to 90% in the blastocyst. The remaining lactate must be derived from endogenous sources, most probably glycogen. It is proposed that the high production of lactate by human preimplantation embryos in vitro is an adaptation to the conditions of culture.     

Fertilization and early embryology: Nuclei number in human embryos co-cultured with human ampullary cells

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect on nuclei numberin human embryos cultured in vitro with primary cell lines ofhuman Fallopian tube epithelium. The development of 203 surplushuman embryos, cultured in standard culture medium (Earle'sbalanced salt solution+15% A5) with or without ampullary cells,was observed from day 2 to day 5.5 post-insemination. The expandedblastocysts in both culture conditions were analysed for nucleinumbers per blastocyst. Embryos transferred to co-culture atthe 2-cell stage had an average of 120.7 nuclei per blastocyst,which was significantly higher than the average of 62.9 nucleiper blastocyst (P=0.023) for the embryos transferred to co-cultureat the 4-cell stage. The embryos cultured in the control mediumhad an average of 42.1 nuclei per blastocyst, which was significantlyless than co cultured embryos (P=0.04). Severely fragmentedembryos (grades 3 and 4) did not show recovery in co-culture.Our results show that when human embryos are transferred toco-cultures before the 4-cell stage, the blastulation rate andthe cell number per embryo increase significantly compared tothe embryos cultured in standard culture medium. The possibleeffect of co-culture on embryonic gene expression is discussed.     

Human preimplantation development in vitro is not adversely affected by biopsy at the 8-cell stage

Normally fertilized human embryos biopsied 3 days after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) have been examined for effects on viability and development in vitro after removal of one or two cells at the 8-cell stage (1/8 and 2/8) from each embryo. A high proportion of 7/8 and 6/8 biopsied and unmanipulated embryos developed to the blastocyst stage between days 5 and 6 (79, 71 and 59%, respectively), and many biopsied embryos (56%) hatched from the zona pellucida in vitro. The viability of biopsied embryos which developed to the blastocyst stage was assessed by daily non-invasive measurement of the uptake of two energy substrates, glucose and pyruvate. Uptake of both substrates was generally lower in 7/8 and 6/8 biopsied embryos but only in proportion to the reduced cellular mass. The total cell number and the numbers of both trophectoderm (TE) and inner cell mass (ICM) cells in biopsied embryos at the blastocyst stage, counted by differential labelling of their nuclei, were also reduced in proportion but the ratio of ICM to TE cells was maintained in both 7/8 and 6/8 biopsied embryos. We conclude that removal of one or two cells at the 8-cell stage, while reducing the cellular mass, does not adversely affect the preimplantation/development of biopsied embryos in vitro and suggest that this approach could be used for preimplantation diagnosis of genetic defects.     

Developmental potential of embryos produced by in-vitro fertilization from gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist-treated macaques stimulated with recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone alone or in combination with luteinizing hormone

We previously demonstrated, in luteinizing hormone (LH)-deficientmacaques, that follicular growth and maturation occurred withadministration of exogenous (recombinant human) follicle stimulatinghormone (r-hFSH) alone, and that the oocytes recovered fertilizedat a notably higher rate than their counterparts from animalsreceiving both r-hFSH and r-hLH (Zelinski-Wooten et al., 1995).Here, the developmental potential of embryos produced from animalstreated with r-hFSH alone or in combination with r-hLH was evaluated.Embryos (n = 127) were cryopreserved, thawed and either co-culturedon buffalo rat liver cells until the hatched blastocyst stageor transferred to synchronized recipients. Although embryosfrom each treatment group demonstrated a similar ability todevelop to hatched blastocysts with a definitive inner cellmass, a significant difference was seen in cryosurvival (56versus 78%) and in developmental rate to the hatched blastocyst(12 versus 10 days) between embryos from the r-hFSH alone andthe combination group respectively. Pregnancies resulted followingoviductal embryo transfers in both groups, with corpus luteumrescue occurring on days 12–16 of the luteal phase. Insummary, r-hFSH alone during the pre-ovulatory interval is adequatefor the gametogenic events required to produce embryos thatdevelop either in vitro or in vivo; however, exposure to r-hLHmay improve embryo viability and the rate of development.     

四倍体胚胎发育阶段对胚胎干细胞嵌合体小鼠制备的影响

目的 探讨四倍体胚胎发育阶段对胚胎干细胞(ES)嵌合体小鼠制备的影响.方法 通过2-细胞胚胎电融合法制备四倍体胚胎,采用显微注射方法将ES细胞分别注入1-细胞、4-细胞、囊胚3个发育阶段的四倍体胚胎中.所用ES细胞分别为杂交系B6D2F1×129/Sv和近交系C57BL/6J,经胚胎移植和剖腹产以获得ES小鼠.结果 实...     

Sequential assessment of individually cultured human embryos as an indicator of subsequent good quality blastocyst development

BACKGROUND: It is of fundamental importance for IVF clinics to determine the most viable embryos for transfer. The challenge for ART clinics is to transfer fewer embryos, thereby minimizing the risk of multiple-infant births, while still maintaining the greatest chance of pregnancy for their patients. In this study, an investigation was made to determine if developmental markers on the day of fertilization (day 1) can predict good subsequent blastocyst development. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1550 individually cultured 2PN embryos from 191 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment at the Yale University Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility from February to December 2001 was included. The results showed a significant positive relationship between early-cleaving 2-cell embryos and subsequent good quality > or =4-cell, > or =7-cell and blastocyst development (P < 0.05). PN symmetry (the relative size of the PN to each other), when checked at the time fertilization, is also a significant indictor of good quality > or =4-cell, > or =7-cell stage embryos and blastocysts. Combined, a developing embryo showing PN symmetry with early cleavage and subsequent good > or =4-cell and > or =7-cell cleavage, has a one in two chance of developing into a good-quality blastocyst. CONCLUSION: Early embryo assessment can be used as an indicator of subsequent good blastocyst development.     

Cleavage anomalies in early human embryos and survival after prolonged culture in-vitro

This study examines the relationship between common morphological anomalies of cleaving embryos and their ability to form apparently normal blastocysts in vitro. The impact of cleavage rate, fragmentation, and multinucleation on compaction, cavitation, along with inner cell mass and trophectoderm formation has been assessed. The study population consisted of 102 patients who elected or were selected to have a day 5 embryo transfer. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were 66.7 and 49% respectively. Slow and fast cleavage had a significant negative association with normal blastocyst formation. Only 13.8% (67/484) of embryos with <7 cells and 27.5% (25/91) of those with >9 cells on day 3 formed blastocysts with apparently normal morphology, compared to 41.9% (252/602) with 7-9 cells on day 3 (P < 0.001). Fragmentation had a negative impact on normal blastocyst formation. Embryos with >15% fragmentation formed normal blastocysts at a significantly lower rate (46/279; 16.5%) than embryos with 0-15% fragmentation (311/935; 33.3%) (P < 0. 001). Furthermore, the pattern of fragmentation was associated with blastocyst formation. Type IV fragmentation led to a significant reduction in blastocyst formation (25/170 or 14.7%), compared to types I, II and III which performed much better (38.6, 32.9 and 32.4% respectively). Only 15.9% (22/138) of embryos with one or more multinucleate cells on day 2 and/or 3 formed normal blastocysts compared with 31.9% (335/1051) (P < 0.001) of those without multinucleation. Collectively, the data suggest that cleavage anomalies, some of which do not preclude development after short-term culture, may reduce the developmental competence of embryos after prolonged culture.     

Characterization of telomerase activity in the human oocyte and preimplantation embryo

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein, has been described as an essential component of highly proliferative cells as it stabilizes the telomeres and avoids cellular senescence. The objective of this study was to modify the polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol to detect telomerase activity in the single cell and to characterize the activity expressed in the human oocyte through to the blastocyst stage embryo. A comparative evaluation of telomerase activity and developmental stage was conducted using discarded or donated human oocytes and embryos. Telomerase activity was detected in all developmental stages evaluated from immature oocytes through to blastocyst stage embryos. Immature oocytes and blastocysts had similar levels of telomerase activity; however, both groups had significantly (P < 0.05) higher activity than zygote through to pre-morula stage embryos. Seventy-five thawed zygotes were cultured to day 3, biopsied by removing 1-2 cells, and the biopsied embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage. There was no difference (P < 0.05) in telomerase activity between cells biopsied from embryos that reached the blastocyst stage and cells from those that arrested in growth. This study has shown that human oocytes through to blastocyst stage embryos express telomerase activity, but that the level of telomerase activity in biopsied blastomeres, of the day 3 cleavage stage embryo, is not predictive of embryonic growth potential.     

The Graduated Embryo Score (GES) predicts blastocyst formation and pregnancy rate from cleavage-stage embryos

BACKGROUND: Embryo morphology and cleavage rates alone do not consistently identify embryos with high implantation potential following IVF. Blastocyst transfer has been reported to improve success rates by identifying potentially superior quality embryos. Algorithms for predicting IVF outcomes based on the presence of early developmental milestones have been proposed. Here we introduce the Graduated Embryo Score (GES). METHODS: Nucleolar alignment along the pronuclear axis, regular cleavage and degree of fragmentation at the first cell division, and cell number and morphology on day 3 were weighted to create a possible GES of 100 for each of 1245 fertilized embryos derived from 109 patients aged <40 years. The GES was correlated with IVF outcome. RESULTS: Of 983 embryos for extended culture, 349 (36%) developed to blastocyst and 180 (18%) were good quality (grade I-II). When ranked by cell number and morphology alone, 34% of embryos with > or =7 cells and <20% fragmentation formed good quality blastocysts. Using GES, embryos scoring 90-100 had 64% blastocyst formation compared with 31% scoring 70-85 and with 11% scoring 30-65. Embryos scoring 70-100 had 44% blastocyst development compared with 9% scoring 0-65. Fifty-six patients (51%) conceived on-going gestations from 294 transferred embryos. In patients with at least one transferred embryo scoring > or =70, the pregnancy rate was 59% compared with 34% if all embryos scored <70. The overall implantation rate was 28%. Among embryos scoring 70-100, an implantation rate of 39% was seen, compared with 24% among embryos scoring 0-65. CONCLUSIONS: Predicting which cleaved embryos will form blastocysts could permit the high success rates associated with blastocyst transfer to be achieved from day 3 embryo transfer.     

Pregnancies following blastocyst stage transfer in PGD cycles at risk for beta-thalassaemic haemoglobinopathies.

BACKGROUND: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) usually involves blastomere biopsy 3 days post-insemination (p.i.), followed by genetic analysis and transfer of unaffected embryos later on day 3 or 4. We evaluate a strategy involving embryo biopsy on day 3 p.i., genetic analysis on day 4 and, following culture in blastocyst sequential media, transfer of unaffected embryos on day 5 p.i. METHODS: PGD cycles were initiated in 15 couples at risk of transmitting beta-thalassaemia major. Oocyte retrieval and ICSI were performed according to standard protocols. Embryo culture used blastocyst sequential media. Embryos were biopsied on day 3 p.i. using acid Tyrode's for zona drilling, and the single blastomeres were genotyped by a protocol involving nested polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis. RESULTS: Forty of 109 (37%) embryos biopsied on day 3 p.i. developed to blastocysts by day 5 p.i., with at least one blastocyst available for transfer in 12 cycles (80%). Genotype analysis characterized 51/109 (47%) embryos unaffected for beta-thalassaemia major, of which 28 were blastocysts. Transfer of 37 day 5 p.i. embryos (blastocysts and non blastocysts) initiated eight clinical pregnancies. Implantation rate per embryo transferred was 12/37 (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Embryo biopsy on day 3, followed by delayed transfer until day 5 p.i. offers a novel and effective strategy to overcome the time limit encountered when performing PGD, without compromising embryo implantation.     

不同类型的转基因细胞核供体对生产小鼠转基因克隆胚胎的影响

目的 利用体细胞核移植(SCNT)技术生产小鼠转基因克隆胚胎. 方法 利用所构建的含新霉素抗性(Neor)基因和增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)基因的双标记选择载体, 通过电穿孔的方法, 分别转染小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞和小鼠胚胎干细胞,经G418筛选14d后用于核移植.同时以未转基因小鼠卵丘细胞和成纤维细胞为核供体,进行体细胞核移植. 结果 转基因与未转基因胎鼠成纤维细胞的重构胚的囊胚(154/160)发育率为19.23%和22.91%,差异不显著(P＞0.05);转基因胚胎干细胞与胎鼠成纤维细胞的重构胚的囊胚(152/154)发育率为41.54%和19.23%,差异显著(P＜0.05);未转基因卵丘细胞与成纤维细胞的重构胚的囊胚(171/160)发育率为41.17%和22.91%,差异显著(P＜0.05). 结论 利用体细胞核移植技术,小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞和胚胎干细胞可以有效地生产小鼠转基因囊胚.     

The effect of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and semen parameters on blastocyst development in vitro

The present study compares the development and quality of blastocysts derived from conventional oocyte insemination with those derived from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Oocytes were collected from patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotrophins for IVF. Patients with normal semen were assigned to conventional oocyte insemination while those with progressive motility <20% and/or normal sperm morphology < or =4% were assigned to ICSI. Resulting embryos were cultured for up to 6 days. The mean number and percentage of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage and the mean number and percentage of blastocysts of high quality on days 5-6 were assessed for both treatment groups and compared. The influence of paternal factors (sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, morphology) on blastocyst development and quality were assessed by regression analyses. Significantly more ICSI-derived embryos arrested at the 5- to 8-cell stage (P = 0.024) concomitant with the activation of the paternal genome than those derived from conventional oocyte insemination. Significantly fewer ICSI-derived embryos reached the blastocyst stage on days 5-6 (P<0.001) and significantly fewer ICSI-derived embryos were of high quality (P = 0.002) compared with conventional oocyte insemination. When treatment groups were combined and evaluated by regression analysis, progressive motility and sperm morphology were significantly correlated with diminished blastocyst development and quality (P < 0.05). From these data, we conclude that paternal factors and/or performing ICSI in cases of severe male factor infertility may have a detrimental effect on blastocyst development and their quality.     

人类辅助生殖技术中DAY3胚胎质量与囊胚形成相关性分析

目的探讨人类辅助生殖技术中,day3胚胎质量与囊胚形成的相关性。方法将符合纳入标准的130例患者day3胚胎移植后剩余胚胎进行囊胚培养至day6,分析患者年龄、day3胚胎分级、day3胚胎细胞数及培养时间与囊胚形成的关系。结果患者年龄与囊胚形成无明显相关;囊胚形成率与day3胚胎质量评分和细胞数呈显著正相关,day3评分为Ⅰ-Ⅱ级胚胎囊胚形成率明显高于Ⅲ-Ⅳ级胚胎,day3细胞数≥6的胚胎囊胚形成率明显高于≤5的胚胎囊胚形成率。综合分析day3胚胎分级、细胞数、培养时间与囊胚形成率的关系,囊胚形成率最高的是≥6细胞Ⅰ-Ⅱ级胚胎,其次是≥6细胞Ⅲ-Ⅳ级胚胎,≤5细胞的其他两组囊胚形成很低,各组胚胎day6囊胚形成率均明显高于day5。结论 day3胚胎的细胞数、质量分级及囊胚的培养天数都能够影响囊胚的形成,其中day3胚胎的细胞数更为重要,培养至day6使day3胚胎质量较差和发育迟缓的胚胎有机会形成囊胚,有效地筛选和保存了有一定发育潜能的胚胎。     

Progression to the blastocyst stage of embryos derived from testicular round spermatids

Progression to the blastocyst stage of embryos derived from testicular round spermatids in men with non-obstructive azoospermia was studied. A total of 56 men were studied in whom partial spermatogenesis failure had occurred where only very few spermatozoa (fewer than the number of oocytes retrieved) were extracted from multiple testicular biopsy specimens. Oocytes remaining after intracytoplasmic injection of testicular spermatozoa (group 1) were injected with round spermatids (ROSI, group 2). Only embryos derived from group 1 were transferred. Remaining embryos were observed under culture for 8 days and their progression to the blastocyst stage was recorded. Of the 546 oocytes injected with testicular spermatozoa, 404 (73.9%) showed evidence of 2-pronuclear (2PN) fertilization. Injection of testicular round spermatids resulted in 2PN fertilization rate of 50% (P < 0.05). Using a four-point grading system, 53% of the good quality embryos (grade 1 or 2) in group 1 reached the blastocyst stage compared with 25% in group 2 (P < 0.05). The rate of progression to the blastocyst stage of grade 3 and grade 4 embryos was 46 and 8.5% in the two groups respectively (P < 0.05). Using a different three-point grading system for the blastocysts, 75.3% of the blastocysts in group 1 were either grade 1 or grade 2 and 24.7% were grade 3. However, in group 2 all blastocysts were grade 3. All embryos observed in group 1 reached the blastocyst stage by day 5 or 6 compared with 25% of the embryos reaching the blastocyst stage by this time in group 2. While 31.2% of the blastocysts in group 1 showed evidence of spontaneous hatching in vitro, none of the blastocysts in group 2 hatched. In conclusion, progression to the blastocyst stage occurred at a much lower and slower rate in embryos derived from testicular round spermatids. Furthermore, all blastocysts resulting from ROSI were of poor quality and none showed spontaneous hatching. These results may explain the dismal outcome associated with ROSI.     

The incidence of abnormal morphology and nucleocytoplasmic ratios in 2-, 3- and 5-day human pre-embryos

Human cleaving pre-embryos at 2 and 3 days and cavitated pre-embryos at 5 days post-insemination have been examined for cell number and the incidence of mononucleated cells. At least 60% of polynucleate or anucleate cells have been detected at all these stages and regardless of morphological grading at day 2. It is concluded that even by the time at which pre-embryo replacement would occur therapeutically, the majority of pre-embryos are unlikely to have full developmental potential. The possible origins of the abnormalities of nucleocytoplasmic ratios are discussed.     

Fertilization and early embryology: Normal development and metabolic activity of preimplantation embryos in vitro from patients with polycystic ovaries

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely associated withhigh miscarriage rates and, following in-vitro fertilization(IVF), with decreased fertilization rates, suggesting that oocytesand embryos are of poor quality. In this prospective study,we examined the development, metabolic activity and blastocystcell number of embryos following IVF from 51 patients with eitheranovulatory PCOS, ovulatory PCOS or tubal disease. The numberof oocytes retrieved and the fertilization rates were similarfor patients with PCOS and tubal disease. Following embryo transfer,46% of the patients with PCOS and 36% of patients with tubaldisease became pregnant. A similar proportion of surplus embryosfrom patients with PCOS and tubal disease developed to the blastocyststage (38% and 43% respectively). Patients with anovulatoryPCOS had embryos with less fragmentation which cleaved faster,cavitated earlier and had more cells at the blastocyst stagethan embryos from patients with tubal disease. While the profileof glucose uptake and lactate production was similar for allgroups throughout preimplantation development, patients withtubal disease who underwent ovulation induction using the ‘titrated’regimen optimized for PCOS patients resulted in embryos withreduced pyruvate uptake, in addition to low blastocyst cellnumbers. This study demonstrates that with an optimized ovulationinduction regimen, embryos from PCOS patients are of good qualityand developmental potential.     

Development of in-vitro-derived bovine embryos cultured in 5% CO2 in air or in 5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2

To evaluate the effects of a three gas mixture of 5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2 (OCN) on preimplantation embryo development, bovine in-vitro fertilization (IVF) oocytes were cultured in a defined medium (mBECM) with various supplements either under 5% CO2 in air or under OCN. When cultured in mBECM alone, embryo development was significantly stimulated in OCN compared to 5% CO2 in air (experiment 1). In the OCN atmosphere, blastocyst formation was further increased after addition of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10%) or FBS + cumulus granulosa cells (CGC) to mBECM. The ratio of blastocysts to 8-cell embryos, number of hatched blastocysts and embryo diameter were markedly increased, and zona thickness was decreased after FBS addition. However, development up to the morula stage was fully supported by mBECM alone. There was no significant effect of beta-mercaptoethanol (ME; 10 microM) in OCN. In the 5% CO2 atmosphere, embryo development was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced after addition of FBS + CGC + ME. In experiment 2, in OCN, FBS added at 60 h post-insemination was effective in stimulating blastocyst formation, but changes in medium volume per oocyte from 13.6 to 1.36 microliters had only a marginal effect. In conclusion, OCN gas mixture provides a suitable atmosphere for early embryo growth in vitro and mBECM + FBS in the optimal culture medium under this atmosphere.