HUMAN FOLLICULAR-FLUID AND MOUSE CUMULUS CELLS ACT SYNERGISTICALLY TOENHANCE PREIMPLANTATION MOUSE BALB CJ EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT/

Problem: The development of preimplantation mammalian embryos in vitro is less than optimal. Follicular fluid and cumulus cells have both be en used, independently, to improve preimplantation embryo quality in c ulture. Method: To determine the ability of mouse cumulus cell cocultu re in the presence of human follicular fluid to support preimplantatio n mouse Balb/cJ embryo development in vitro. Results: Culture of preim plantation mouse Balb/cJ embryos independently in human follicular flu id or on mouse cumulus cells had no significant affect on blastocyst d evelopment or total cell number per blastocyst. The coculture of mouse Balb/cJ preimplantation-stage embryos on mouse cumulus cells in the p resence of human follicular fluid significantly (P < 0.01) improved bl astocyst development and the total number of cells per blastocyst. Con clusions: Cumulus cells and follicular fluid have a positive synergist ic affect on preimplantation mouse Balb/cJ embryo development and form ation in vitro.