Reproduction Abstracts

The preimplantation embryo undergoes dynamic changes in energy demand during development. Oxygen consumption rate (OCR), representing overall oxidative metabolism, has been reported in several species but few studies have examined the components of OCR. Individual blastocyst OCR was measured using a non-invasive oxygen probe (unisense), whereas OCR of grouped blastocysts was determined using the Oxygen Biosensor fluorometric assay (BD Bioscience). Respiratory chain inhibitors ...

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. They proliferate by self-renewal and have the potential to develop into all cells of the three germ layers. Thus, hESCs hold great potential for use in regenerative medicine. hESCs are difficult to maintain in culture and have a tendency to spontaneously differentiate. Culture at a low, 5% oxygen concentration is beneficial for the maintenance of a wholly pluripotent cell population comp...

Embryo dormancy (embryo diapause) is a reproductive strategy used by ~100 different mammals to avoid the risk of exposing their offsprings to unfavourable environmental conditions by delaying embryo implantation. The blastocysts from domestic sheep, rabbit or cattle enter into diapause after being transfer into mouse uteri induced to have delayed implantation. The observation suggests that blastocysts from all mammals, including that of human, may have an ability to enter into...

In livestock ruminant species including sheep and cattle, high fertilisation rates shown around 80%, do not necessarily equate to successful pregnancy. Deficient uterine function is therefore a major contributory factor to pregnancy failure resulting in embryonic mortality. In humans undergoing IVF treatment for subfertility, approximately only 25% of embryo transfers will successfully implant. To gain a better understanding of the natural implantation environment, in vitr...

Several million babies have been born worldwide since IVF and assisted-reproductive technologies (ART) became available. However, reports link IVF techniques with adverse short- and long-term health outcomes.1,2,3 Using a mouse model, we investigated the effect of IVF on the total cell number in blastocyst stage embryos and the postnatal health of offspring.Methods: Experimental groups; (NM) C57/BL6 non-superovulated females naturally mated wi...