Author: McKiernan, S.H.

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 15, Number 1, January 2000 , pp. 157-164(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

The effects of water-soluble vitamins, singly or in combinations, on development of hamster 1-cell embryos were examined in a protein-free, chemically defined culture medium, HECM-6. Pantothenate significantly stimulated blastocyst development compared to the vitamin-free control and to every other single vitamin, except thiamine. Ascorbic acid, biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, niacinamide, pyridoxal, riboflavin and thiamine had no detectable stimulation or inhibition on cleavage stage development or morula/blastocyst formation. When combinations of vitamins were tested, embryo development was either unchanged or significantly greater than in the control, but never significantly greater than development with pantothenate alone. A dose response to pantothenate indicated that 3 μmol/l was the optimum concentration. After embryo transfer, the percentage of live fetuses recovered per 100 1-cell embryos cultured in HECM-6 plus pantothenate (now designated HECM-9) was 24%, significantly higher than the 11% recovered from 100 1-cell embryos cultured in HECM-6 alone. This is the first report to show a stimulatory effect of a single vitamin on in-vitro development of preimplantation embryos in any mammalian species.

Keywords: development; embryo; pantothenate; vitamins

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2000-01-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

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