The Effects of Glutamine on Blastulation of Human Embryos on Vero Cells In Vitro.

Park,  Kee Sang; Choi,  In Kyung; Lee,  Jin Shik; Song,  Hai Bum

Original Article

Korean Journal of Fertility and Sterility 1998;25(1):65-70.
Published online January 1, 2001.

The Effects of Glutamine on Blastulation of Human Embryos on Vero Cells In Vitro.

Kee Sang Park, In Kyung Choi, Jin Shik Lee, Hai Bum Song

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Tissue Culture Medium 199 (TCM) and Dulecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) on the blastulation and grade of human oocytes on Vero cells in vitro. A cohort of 79 and 93 oocytes in metaphase II stage were used in TCM 199 and DMEM respectively. No differences were found in the nurser of oocytes showing two-pronuclei between TCM (82.3%) and DMEM (86.0%). The number of fertilized oocytes reaching the blastocyst was not significant in TCM (60.0%) and DMEM (63.1%).4 total of 89 blastocysts were categorized into the four grades (BG1, BG2, BG3 and early) depending on their morphology. The number of embryos achieving the blastocyst grade 1 (BG1) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in DMEM (50.8%) than TCM (15.0%). It is concluded that cultured oocytes in DMEM with glutamine on Vero cells should be significantly increased BG1.