The trophectoderm epithelium is the first differentiated cell layer to arise during mammalian development. Blastocyst formation requires the proper expression and localization of tight junction, polarity, ion gradient and H2O channel proteins in the outer cell membranes. However, the underlying transcriptional mechanisms that control their expression are largely unknown. Here, we report that tr...

A theoretical exploration of cell distribution on the mouse blastocyst is conducted. A model ball of cells represents the morula which develops into a 32-cell model blastocyst that is enclosed in a spherical surface with a hemispherical cavity at one end. In the combinatorial analysis it is assumed that each cell of the 2-cell embryo forms 16 cells in the blastocyst and that these 16 cells touc...

Previously, we have shown that a maternal low protein diet, fed exclusively during the preimplantation period of mouse development (Emb-LPD), is sufficient to induce by the blastocyst stage a compensatory growth phenotype in late gestation and postnatally, correlating with increased risk of adult onset cardiovascular disease and behavioural dysfunction. Here, we examine mechanisms of induction ...

BACKGROUND Advances in embryo culture technology and cryopreservation have led to a shift in in vitro fertilization (IVF) from early fresh or frozen-thawed cleavage embryo transfer to fresh or frozen-thawed blastocyst stage transfer. OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical outcomes of fresh embryo transfers and frozen-thawed embryo transfers. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective case contr...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the effects of the insemination method on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture performed between January 2011 and December 2014. RESULTS There were 2,003 cycles of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 336 cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (...

To evaluate the potential effects of melatonin on the kinetics of embryo development and quality of blastocyst during the process of in vitro bovine embryo culture. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were fertilized after in vitro maturation. The presumed zygotes were cultured in in vitro culture medium supplemented with or without 10(-7) M melatonin. The cleavage rate, 8-cell rate and blas...

The success of implantation is an interactive process between the blastocyst and the uterus. Synchronized development of embryos with uterine differentiation to a receptive state is necessary to complete pregnancy. The period of uterine receptivity for implantation is limited and referred to as the "implantation window", which is regulated by ovarian steroid hormones. Implantation process is co...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of essential (EAAs) and non-essential (NEAAs) amino acids (AAs) at levels of 25 and 25 or 50 and 50 μl/ml, respectively, on in vitro developmental potential of rabbit embryos at 4and 8-cell stages. Total of 12 sexual mature New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does and 3 fertile NZW bucks were used in this study. All does and bucks were kept under similar condi...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether performing comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) and transferring a single euploid blastocyst can result in an ongoing pregnancy rate that is equivalent to transferring two untested blastocysts while reducing the risk of multiple gestation. DESIGN Randomized, noninferiority trial. SETTING Academic center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S) Infertile cou...