B. Tornesi et al., IN-VITRO CULTURE OF PREIMPLANTATION MOUSE EMBRYOS AND DAY-12 LIMB-BUDS - EFFECTS OF SERUM AND ALBUMIN, Reproductive toxicology, 7(6), 1993, pp. 623-630
The effects of three different protein sources at different concentrat
ions on the growth and development of preimplantation mouse embryos; a
nd day 12 mouse limb-buds in culture were studied. Mouse embryos and f
orelimb-buds were cultured with a range of concentrations (5.5 to 42%)
of either donor bovine serum (DBS) or fetal bovine serum (FBS), or (0
.2 to 0.8%) bovine serum albumin (BSA). After 48 h in culture, the rat
e of embryo development was significantly higher in 5.5% DBS than in a
ll other groups (P < 0.05). The embryo hatching rate was higher in 21%
FBS, 42% FBS, and all DBS groups than in serum-free medium, and all B
SA groups (P < 0.05). Morphologic analysis of cultured limb-buds at 72
h revealed that total, paw, and cartilage area were greater (P < 0.05
) in the serum-free medium than in all other groups. Shape factor anal
ysis suggested that 5.5% DBS was most beneficial,to mouse limb-bud dev
elopment. No differences were seen in DNA or protein content of limb-b
uds among groups. Results suggest that mouse forelimb-buds can be succ
esfully cultured in serum-free medium and that high concentrations of
FBS and DBS may be detrimental for preimplantation embryo and/or limb-
bud growth and development.