This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Minami, N. Articles by Iritani, A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Minami, N. Articles by Iritani, A.

Effects of low molecular weight oviductal factors on the development of mouse one-cell embryos in vitro

Summary. The relationship between the oviduct and embryo development in the mouse was investigated and the period at which the influence of oviduct can be concerned in the development of mouse embryos in vitro was identified. In addition, the relative molecular weight of oviductal factors that promote embryo development was demonstrated. Mouse zygotes developed to the blastocyst stage when co-cultured with ampulla. The period of embryo co-culture significantly affected the further development of the embryos. Fewer one-cell embryos co-cultured with dissected ampullae for less than 24 h developed to blastocysts than those co-cultured for more than 28 h (P < 0·001). A high percentage of embryos co-cultured with ampullae after 24 h of culture in vitro developed to the blastocyst stage, which suggests that the influences of ampulla on the development of mouse embryos are restricted to a specific period at the two-cell stage (about 55–56 h after hCG injection) in vitro. Mouse ova that were cultured in media conditioned by ampullae could also develop to the blastocyst stage. The fractionated medium that contained low molecular weight fractions was more effective (P < 0·001) on the development of embryos to the blastocyst stage than that containing high molecular weight fractions. These results suggest that the low molecular weight oviductal factors play an important role in the development of mouse embryos at a certain critical age in vitro.

Keywords: mouse; embryo development; conditioned medium; oviductal factors

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R.B. Fraser, S.L. Waite, K.A. Wood, and K.L. Martin Impact of hyperglycemia on early embryo development and embryopathy: in vitro experiments using a mouse model Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2007; 22(12): 3059 - 3068. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.L. Lee, K.F. Lee, J.S. Xu, K.L. Kwok, J.M. Luk, W.M. Lee, and W.S.B. Yeung Embryotrophic Factor-3 from Human Oviductal Cells Affects the Messenger RNA Expression of Mouse Blastocyst Biol Reprod, February 1, 2003; 68(2): 375 - 382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-S. Xu, T.-M. Cheung, S. Ting-Hon Chan, P.-C. Ho, and W. Shu-Biu Yeung Temporal Effect of Human Oviductal Cell and Its Derived Embryotrophic Factors on Mouse Embryo Development Biol Reprod, November 1, 2001; 65(5): 1481 - 1488. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ohashi, N. Minami, and H. Imai Nuclear Accumulation of Cyclin B1 in Mouse Two-Cell Embryos Is Controlled by the Activation of Cdc2 Biol Reprod, October 1, 2001; 65(4): 1195 - 1200. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Minami, K. Sasaki, A. Aizawa, M. Miyamoto, and H. Imai Analysis of Gene Expression in Mouse 2-Cell Embryos Using Fluorescein Differential Display: Comparison of Culture Environments Biol Reprod, January 1, 2001; 64(1): 30 - 35. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				I. Van der Auwera, R. Pijnenborg, and P.R. Koninckx The influence of in-vitro culture versus stimulated and untreated oviductal environment on mouse embryo development and implantation Hum. Reprod., October 1, 1999; 14(10): 2570 - 2574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]