Effects of purple sweet potato anthocyanins on development and intracellular redox status of bovine preimplantation embryos exposed to heat shock

The development of cleavage stage preimplantation embryos is disrupted by exposure to heat shock, such as high temperatures in the summer season. In this study, we investigated whether addition of anthocyanins, which are strong scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), improves development and intracellular redox status of heat-exposed bovine preimplantation embryos by reduction of heat shock-derived oxidative stress. After in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryos were cultured at 38.5 C through Day 8 (Day 0=day of IVF) with 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 microg/ml anthocyanins (non-heat-shocked group). On Day 2, embryos were cultured at 41.5 C for 6 h with 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 microg/ml anthocyanins followed by culture at 38.5 C until Day 8 (HS group). After exposure to heat shock, the intracellular ROS and glutathione (GSH) contents of individual embryos were measured in the non-heat-shocked and HS groups using fluorescent probes. On Day 8, the blastocysts formation rates of the embryos and total cell numbers of blastocysts were evaluated. Embryos exposed to heat shock without anthocyanins showed a significant decrease in blastocyst formation rate and GSH content (P<0.05) and an increase in intracellular ROS (P<0.05) compared with non-heat-shocked embryos. In contrast, addition of 0.1 microg/ml anthocyanins significantly (P<0.05) improved the blastocyst formation rate of the heat-shocked embryos. Addition of any dose of anthocyanins produced a significant decrease in the ROS levels (P<0.05) and tended to increase the GSH levels under heat-shock conditions. However, addition of higher concentrations (1 and 10 microg/ml) of anthocyanins to the culture media under heat shock did not improve the development of embryos. These results indicate that anthocyanins maintain the intracellular redox balance of heat-shocked bovine embryos by reducing intracellular oxidative stress and increasing the GSH levels. Thus, alterations of the redox state using natural antioxidative polyphenols is a useful approach for reducing heat shock-derived oxidative stress.     

In vitro development and postvitrification survival of cloned feline embryos derived from preadipocytes

The aim of the present study was to optimize the conditions for in vitro development and postvitrification survival of somatic cell cloned feline embryos. To determine the effects of cell cycle synchronization of the nuclear donor cells, we cultured preadipocytes under serum starvation or conventional conditions. After two days in serum starvation culture, the proportion of synchronized donor cells at the G0/G1 phase was 91.6%. This was significantly higher than the proportion of non-synchronized cells in the proliferative phase (72.6%, P<0.05). The in vitro development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos reconstructed using donor cells treated under serum starvation conditions (normal cleavage rate of 65.7%, 46/70, and blastocyst formation rate of 20.0%, 14/70) was comparable to that of the serum supplemented group (52.5%, 31/59, and 20.3%, 12/59). Use of in vitro or in vivo matured oocytes as recipient cytoplasts equally supported development of the SCNT embryos to the blastocyst stage (11.9%, 5/42, vs. 9.5%, 2/21). SCNT-derived blastocysts were vitrified using the original minimum volume cooling (MVC) or the modified (stepwise) MVC method. Although none (n=10) of the SCNT blastocysts survived following vitrification by the original MVC method, the stepwise MVC method resulted in 100% survival after rewarming (n=11). In conclusion, we demonstrated that feline somatic cell cloned embryos with a high developmental ability can be produced irrespective of cell cycle synchronization of donor cells using either in vivo or in vitro matured oocytes. Furthermore, by utilizing a stepwise vitrification method, we showed that it is possible to cryopreserve cloned feline blastocysts.     

Development of pig embryos after electro-activation and in vitro fertilization in PZM-3 or PZM supplemented with fetal bovine serum

The aim of present study was to optimize culture conditions for pig embryos. Initially, we evaluated three different basic culture conditions. When embryos from electro-activation (parthenotes) or in vitro fertilization (IVF-embryos) were cultured in PZM supplemented with 3 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (PZM-3) in 4-well dishes, in medium covered with oil in 4-well dishes or in droplets under oil, 0%, 33% and 20% of the parthenotes, and 11%, 23% and 20% of the IVF-embryos developed to blastocysts. Subsequently, we examined the development of embryos when they were cultured in 4-well dishes in medium covered with oil continuously for 7 days or cultured under the same conditions but with a change to fresh medium on Days 2 and 4. In this experiment, 23% (no medium change) and 34% (change) of the parthenotes developed to blastocysts, respectively. When IVF-embryos were cultured under similar conditions, 33% and 38% of the embryos developed to blastocysts. Further improvement was achieved when PZM was supplemented with FBS from Day 4. In this experiment, 47% of the parthenotes developed to blastocysts with an average cell number of 57 +/- 7.7. In IVF-embryo group, 49% of the embryos developed to blastocysts with a mean cell number of 60 +/- 6.1. These results indicate that a change to fresh medium and inclusion of FBS in the medium during the late stages of culture can generate a higher proportion of high-quality blastocysts.     

小鼠桑椹胚简易玻璃化冷冻技术再探讨

本试验继小鼠扩张囊胚玻璃化冷冻保存成功后，在室温（２５℃）下利用不同浓度的ＥＦＳ玻璃化溶液，对小鼠的桑椹胚简易玻璃化冷冻技术进行再探讨。结果是胚胎在１０％ＥＧ溶液中预先处理５分钟，再移入事先配置好含有ＥＦＳ３０的０．２５ｍｌ塑料细管中１分钟平衡后直接投入液氮中冷冻，解冻后获得的发育率最高（９４％）。冻胚移植后妊娠率和产仔率分别为５６％（９／１６）及４２％（４９／１１６）。与对照组相比差异不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）     

Normal calves produced after transfer of embryos cultured in a chemically defined medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor I following ovum pick up and in vitro fertilization in Japanese black cows

The objective of this study was to examine whether high concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and/or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) would have a beneficial effect on bovine embryo development in vitro and to obtain normal calves by using an ovum pick up method and embryo culture in a chemically defined medium. When compared with controls, EGF (100 or 200 ng/ml) or IGF-I (50 or 100 ng/ml) significantly increased the rate of embryos that developed into blastocysts during an 8-day culture after the in vitro fertilization of oocytes obtained from ovaries from a slaughterhouse. IGF-I induced a dose-dependent increase in cell number in both the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm, whereas EGF stimulated proliferation only in the inner cell mass. A combination of EGF (100 ng/ml) and IGF-I (50 ng/ml) produced an additive effect, and embryos developed into blastocysts at a comparatively high rate (27.9%) compared with controls (12.0%). A similar rate of development was achieved using a combination of EGF and IGF-I in the culture of embryos following ovum pick up by ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration and in vitro fertilization, and 5 blastocysts that developed after the culture were transferred into uteri; two embryos implanted, and normal calves were born. These results suggest that the combined use of EGF and IGF-I makes bovine embryo culture in a chemically defined medium a practical and useful procedure for producing blastocysts, and its application to embryo culture following ovum pick up and in vitro fertilization could be useful for producing normal calves.     

Effects of electroporation treatment using different concentrations of Cas9 protein with gRNA targeting Myostatin (MSTN) genes on the development and gene editing of porcine zygotes

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seven concentrations of Cas9 protein (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 ng/µl) on the development and gene editing of porcine embryos. This included the target editing and off‐target effect of embryos developed from zygotes that were edited via electroporation of the Cas9 protein with guide RNA targeting Myostatin genes. We found that the development to blastocysts of electroporated zygotes was not affected by the concentration of Cas9 protein. Although the editing rate, which was defined as the ratio of edited blastocysts to total examined blastocysts, did not differ with Cas9 protein concentration, the editing efficiency, which was defined as the frequency of indel mutations in each edited blastocyst, was significantly decreased in the edited blastocysts from zygotes electroporated with 25 ng/µl of Cas9 protein compared with that of blastocysts from zygotes electroporated with higher Cas9 protein concentrations. Moreover the frequency of indel events at the two possible off‐target sites was not significantly different with different concentrations of Cas9 protein. These results indicate that the concentration of Cas9 protein affects gene editing efficiency in embryos but not the embryonic development, gene editing rate, and non‐specific cleavage of off‐target sites.     

Addition of alpha-tocopherol to culture medium improves the quality and cryosurvival of nuclear-transferred ovine embryos

The aim of this study was to reconstruct and cryopreserve somatic cell nuclear transferred (SCNT) ovine embryos and evaluate the effect of alpha-tocopherol on blastocyst development and subsequent cryosurvival of the SCNT embryos. The alpha-tocopherol (100 microg/ml) was added into culture medium for the SCNT embryos, the yield and total cell numbers of blastocysts were determined and the apoptosis incidences of the blastocysts were evaluated using the TUNEL assay. The blastocysts from the alpha-tocopherol and untreated groups were then frozen-thawed, and their cryosurvival was assessed by in vitro culture for 48 h. The results showed that there were no significant differences in blastocyst yield (26.3 vs. 22.3%) and total cell number (68.2 vs. 64.3) between the alpha-tocopherol and untreated groups. However, addition of alpha-tocopherol to the culture medium significantly decreased the apoptotic cell number (3.4 vs. 5.5) and significantly increased the cryosurvival of SCNT blastocysts (66.8 vs. 50.7%). In conclusion, addition of alpha-tocopherol to SCNT embryo culture medium was beneficial for improving embryo quality by decreasing the apoptotic blastocyst cell number and improving the tolerance of the embryos to cryopreservation.     

水牛徒手克隆胚胎培养及冷冻条件的优化

本试验利用微滴、微穴和平板培养系统对徒手克隆(hand-made clone,HMC)重组胚进行体外培养;采用了40% EG(ethylene glycol,EG)、25% EG＋25% DMSO(dimethylsulphoxide,DMSO) 和20% EG＋20% DMSO＋0.5 mol/L蔗糖作为玻璃化冷冻液对HMC囊胚进行了超低温冷冻;并且比较了HMC与传统核移植的胚胎生产效率及囊胚冷冻存活率。结果表明,微穴系统的卵裂率要显著高于平板系统(P<0.05),极显著高于微滴系统(P<0.01);且微穴系统的囊胚率(40.0%)极显著高于平板(19.8%)和微滴系统(8.3%)(P<0.01)。采用20% EG＋20% DMSO＋0.5 mol/L蔗糖作为冷冻保护剂时HMC囊胚存活率极显著高于40% EG(P<0.01);HMC重组胚的融合率和囊胚率均高于传统核移植法(P<0.05;P<0.01),而HMC囊胚的冷冻存活率与传统核移植生产的囊胚没有显著差异。以上结果说明水牛HMC可以替代传统核移植法生产克隆胚胎,微穴体系最适合水牛HMC胚胎的体外培养,且采用20% EG＋20% DMSO＋0.5 mol/L蔗糖对HMC囊胚进行玻璃化冷冻可以取得良好的冷冻效果。     

Vitrification of biopsied mouse embryos

Solid surface vitrification (SSV) was compared with in-straw vitrification for cryopreservation of biopsied mouse embryos. Eight-cell stage embryos were zona drilled and one blastomere was removed. Developed morulae or blastocysts were vitrified in microdrop (35% EG + 5% PVP + 0.4 M trehalose) or in straw (7.0 M EG + 0.5 M sucrose). Following recovery, embryos were cultivated in vitro or transferred into recipients. Cryopreservation had an effect not only on the survival of biopsied embryos but also on their subsequent development in vitro. Cryosurvival of biopsied morulae vitrified in straw was significantly inferior to SSV. The post-warm development of biopsied and non-biopsied morulae was delayed on Day 3.5 and 4.5 in both vitrification groups. A delay in development was observed on Day 5.5 among vitrified non-biopsied blastocysts. The percentage of pups born from biopsied morulae or blastocysts following cryopreservation did not differ from that of the control. No significant differences could be detected between methods within and between embryonic stages in terms of birth rate. The birth rate of biopsied embryos vitrified in straw was significantly lower compared to the non-biopsied embryos. The novel cryopreservation protocol of SSV proved to be effective for cryopreservation of morula- and blastocyst-stage biopsied embryos.     

Oxygen tension and medium supplements for in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes cultured individually in a chemically defined medium

The effects of adding cysteamine, EGF, and glucose as an energy substrate under low oxygen tension during in vitro maturation (IVM) were examined to find ways of improving the individual in vitro production (IVP) system in individually cultured bovine oocytes. The basic medium was mSOFaa containing 1 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol. Immature oocytes were individually cultured in an IVM medium with 10 ng/ml EGF, 100 microM cysteamine, or EGF plus cysteamine under 20% or 5% O(2). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were significantly higher (P<0.05) in IVM culture was under 20% O(2) than in culture under 5% O(2). Under 5% O(2), neither EGF nor cysteamine improved embryonic development. The proportion of matured oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the presence of 1.5 mM glucose under 20% O(2) (68.6%), and 5.5 mM (66.7%) and 10 mM (65.5%) glucose under 5% O(2). The presence of 5.5 mM glucose significantly (P<0.05) increased the maturation rate compared with the absence of glucose, irrespective of addition of EGF and cysteamine. The addition of cysteamine alone in the maturation medium significantly (P<0.05) increased the intracellular GSH concentration in the oocytes. Also, under 5% O(2) cysteamine and/or EGF significantly (P<0.05) improved the proportions of penetrated oocytes, cleavage and blastocyst formation, which were similar levels to those of oocytes matured under 20% O(2). After vitrification, the re-expanding and hatching rates of blastocysts derived from the individual IVP system containing cysteamine under 5% O(2) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of blastocysts derived from the individual IVP system without cysteamine under 5% O(2) and the group IVP system under 20% O(2). The present study showed that a high glucose level (5.5 or 10 mM) was optimal in IVM culture under low (5%) oxygen tension. The addition of EGF and/or cysteamine to the maturation medium had no positive effect on nuclear maturation, but improved fertilizability, developmental competence and cryoresistance following vitrification, probably due to increased GSH synthesis during the IVM process.     

Survival and fertility rate of cooled dromedary camel spermatozoa supplemented with catalase enzyme

The present study was planned to study the effects of addition of different concentrations of catalase enzyme (0, 250, 500 and 1,000 IU/ml) to cooled dromedary camel semen extended with tris-yolk-fructose extender on semen quality during storage at 5 C for up to 5 days. Conception rates of she-camels artificially inseminated with whole fresh or extended cooled dromedary camel semen with or without 500 IU/ml catalase enzyme were also estimated. The results showed that addition of catalase enzyme at concentrations of 250 or 500 IU/ml to extended cooled dromedary camel semen significantly increased (P<0.01) the percentage of sperm motility and significantly decreased (P<0.01) the percentages of dead spermatozoa, sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damage. The highest (P<0.01) percentage of sperm motility was recorded with extended cooled dromedary camel semen supplemented with catalase enzyme at a concentration of 500 IU/ml, and the lowest (P<0.01) value was recorded with catalase enzyme at a concentration of 1000 IU/ml. On the other hand, the lowest (P<0.01) percentages of dead spermatozoa, sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damage of spermatozoa were recorded with extended cooled dromedary camel semen supplemented with 500 IU/ml, and the highest (P<0.01) values were recorded with catalase enzyme at a concentration of 1,000 IU/ml. Advancement of the storage time at 5 C significantly decreased (P<0.01) the percentage of sperm motility and significantly increased (P<0.01) the percentages of dead spermatozoa, sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damage of spermatozoa. Moreover, the conception rates of she-camels artificially inseminated with whole fresh, extended cooled dromedary camel semen free-catalase enzyme and extended cooled dromedary camel semen supplemented with catalase enzyme at a concentration of 500 IU/ml were 46.15, 22.22 and 37.50%, respectively. In conclusion, the results show that addition of catalase enzyme at a concentration of 500 IU/ml to semen extender can be used as an agent for prolongation of dromedary camel sperm cell survival during storage at 5 C.     

In vitro development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos in different culture media

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of three different culture media on the development of canine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Canine cloned embryos were cultured in modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), porcine zygote medium-3 (PZM-3), or G1/G2 sequential media. Our results showed that the G1/G2 media yielded significantly higher morula and blastocyst development in canine SCNT embryos (26.1% and 7.8%, respectively) compared to PZM-3 (8.5% and 0%) or mSOF (2.3% and 0%) media. In conclusion, this study suggests that blastocysts can be produced more efficiently using G1/G2 media to culture canine SCNT embryos.     

Epidermal growth factor improves developmental competence and embryonic quality of singly cultured domestic cat embryos

This study examined the influence of EGF on the expression of EGF receptors (EGFR) and developmental competence of embryos cultured individually versus those cultured in groups. Cat oocytes were in vitro matured and fertilized (IVM/IVF), and cleaved embryos were randomly assigned to one of seven culture conditions: one group each in which embryos were subjected to group culture supplemented with or without 5 ng/ml EGF and five groups in which embryos were subjected to single-embryo culture supplemented with EGF (0, 5, 25, 50 or 100 ng/ml). Morulae, blastocysts and hatching blastocysts were assessed at days 5 and 7; post IVF, respectively, and total blastocyst cell numbers were assessed at day 7. Relative mRNA expressions of EGFR of 2–4-cell embryos, 8–16-cell embryos, morulae and blastocysts cultured in groups or singly with or without EGF supplementation were examined. OCT3/4 and Ki67 in blastocysts derived from the group or single-embryo culture systems with or without EGF supplementation were localized. A higher rate of embryos cultured in groups developed to blastocysts than individually incubated cohorts. Although EGF increased blastocyst formation in the single-embryo culture system, EGF did not affect embryo development in group culture. Expression levels of EGFR decreased in morulae and blastocysts cultured with EGF. An increased ratio of Ki67-positive cells to the total number of cells in the blastocyst was observed in singly cultured embryos in the presence of EGF. However, EGF did not affect the expression of OCT3/4. These findings indicate that EGF enhanced developmental competence of cat embryos cultured singly by stimulating cell proliferation and modulating the EGFR expression at various developmental stages.     

Melatonin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation and Development Supports the Development of Porcine Embryos

Melatonin has been reported to improve the in vitro development of embryos in some species. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and development culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos. In the first experiment, when the in vitro fertilized embryos were cultured with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml) for 8 days, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin (10.7%) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control embryos cultured without melatonin (4.2%). The proportion of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from embryos cultured with 50 ng/ml melatonin was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of embryos cultured without melatonin (2.1% vs 7.2%). In the second experiment, when oocytes were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml), fertilized and then cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin for 8 days, there were no significant differences in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation among the groups. However, the proportions (2.7–5.4%) of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with melatonin were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to those (8.9%) from oocytes matured without melatonin, irrespective of the concentration of melatonin. Our results suggest that supplementation of the culture media with melatonin (25 ng/ml) during IVM and development has beneficial effects on the developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos.     

Development of large and small blastomeres from 2‐cell embryos produced in vitro in pigs

In the present study, we examined the development to blastocysts of large and small blastomeres from unevenly cleaved 2‐cell embryos (uneven 2‐cell embryos) in pigs. Proportion of blastocysts derived from large blastomeres (52.8 ± 6.4%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with small ones (32.1 ± 4.6%). However, there were no differences in total cell number, inner cell mass (ICM) cell number and ICM/total cells ratio between them. Of 53 sister blastomere pairs in the same embryos examined there were 12 pairs (22.6%) in which both blastomeres developed to blastocysts, 16 pairs (30.2%) in which only large blastomeres developed to blastocysts, and five pairs (9.4%) in which only small blastomeres developed to blastocysts. Relative total amount of active mitochondria in small blastomeres were lower (P < 0.05) than that of large blastomeres and blastomeres from evenly cleaved 2‐cell embryos. However, there was no difference in relative density of active mitochondria in these three types of blastomeres. In conclusion, blastocysts derived from small and large blastomeres in uneven 2‐cell embryos had comparable quality in terms of cell number, ICM number, ICM/total cell ratio and distribution of active mitochondria. The results suggest that these blastomeres may contribute multiple offspring production in pigs.     

Superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic Beagles

We measured the blood plasma testosterone (T) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the seminal plasma of the ejaculates of 5 normal (2-5 years old) and 5 asthenozoospermic (AZ-) (3-5 years old) Beagles. Sperm ejaculated by AZ-dogs was incubated for 3 hr in Eagle's MEM only (controls) or Eagle's MEM containing 100 units/ml of SOD or catalase. Sperm motility was examined during incubation. The mean (+/- SE) plasma T level of the AZ-dogs (1.2 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) was significantly lower than in the normal dogs (2.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) (P<0.005). The mean (+/- SE) seminal plasma SOD and catalase activities (18.8 +/- 1.9 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 unit/g protein, respectively) were significantly lower in the AZ-dogs than in the normal dog (43.3 +/- 2.5 and 2.2 +/- 0.4 unit/g protein, respectively) (P<0.001 and 0.01, respectively). The motility of sperm incubated in Eagle's MEM containing SOD or catalase was significantly higher than that of control sperm incubated in only Eagle's MEM after 2 or 3 hr of incubation (P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that poor T secretion by the testes and low antioxidant enzyme activities are related to AZ in the dog.     

Selection based on morphological features of porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization: Timing of early cleavages and the effect of polyspermy

The aim of this study was to examine whether a morphological approach is efficient for selecting high‐quality porcine embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) under high polyspermy conditions. Frozen‐thawed Meishan epididymal spermatozoa showing moderate and high polyspermy were subjected to IVF (1 × 10⁵ sperms/ml). Under conditions of moderate polyspermy, 4‐cell embryos selected at 48 hr after IVF (single selection) and 8‐cell embryos selected at 79 hr after IVF from the collected 4‐cell embryos (double selection) showed high developmental competence. Likewise, 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos produced by IVF under high polyspermy conditions also showed high competence for development to blastocysts. However, blastocysts derived from high polyspermy conditions had significantly fewer cells than those produced under moderate polyspermy conditions. Furthermore, the frequency of nuclear and chromosomal abnormalities in 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos produced under conditions of high polyspermy was significantly (p < .05) higher in comparison to moderate polyspermy conditions. These findings suggest that although high polyspermy affects the frequency of nuclear and chromosomal anomalies in porcine IVF embryos, subsequent selection based on morphological features of 4‐ and 8‐cell embryos even under high polyspermy conditions, could be an alternative option for selecting porcine IVF embryos with high development ability.     

生物频谱对家兔胚胎发育影响的初步研究

本文首次研究了周林生物频谱照射对家兔胚胎体外发育的影响，初步探讨了周林生物频谱在胚胎工程中应用的可能性。周林生物频谱分别照射家兔２－细胞胚胎３、５、７、１０、１５、２０、２５分钟，结果照射１０、１５、２０、２５分钟，可使７２小时（从注射ＨＣＧ后算起，即照射后４８小时）桑椹胚发育率显著增加，照射２０和２５分钟可提高７２、８４、９６和１０８小时囊胚发育率，照射１０分钟和１５分钟可提高１０８小时囊胚发育率，照射７、１０、１５、２０和２５分钟可提高９６小时扩张囊胚发育率及１０８小时孵化囊胚发育率。周林生物频谱照射家兔１６－细胞胚胎２０分钟，其６０小时（从注射ＨＣＧ后起，即照射后１２小时）致密桑椹胚发育率与对照比较差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１），囊胚、扩张囊胚和孵化囊胚发育率与对照比较无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）     

Manipulated Mouse Embryos as Bioassay System for Water Quality Control

Mouse pronuclear stage embryos with intact slit zona pellucida (manipulated) were cultured in vitro until the hatched blastocyst stage in simplex optimized medium with higher K⁺ concentration (KSOM) prepared with three different water types: tap, deionized reverse osmosis (D‐O) water and Milli‐Q system (M‐Q) water. The culture media were supplemented with or without protein and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, disodium salt). The rates of hatched blastocysts were significantly affected (p < 0.01) by micromanipulation, protein supplement and water source. The water source has no influence (p > 0.05) on development in EDTA‐supplemented protein‐free culture media, whereas in EDTA‐ and protein‐free culture media, the water quality significantly (p < 0.001) affected the rates of development, with higher rates in media prepared with M‐Q water. The micromanipulated embryos showed higher sensitivity to the water quality (p < 0.01). It worth mentioning that the rates of hatched blastocysts in protein‐free culture media were very low (0–7.5%). Furthermore, the three different water types were analysed by measuring the electrical conductivity, inorganic ions, total organic carbon and endotoxins to evaluate the purity. M‐Q water showed the lowest levels of inorganic ion, total organic carbon and endotoxin concentrations. We concluded that manipulated mouse embryos are good system to evaluate the quality of water used in biological system.