Impacts of Culture Media and Prostacyclin on Embryo Development in vitro: a systematic review

Bradley K. Schniers; Cara Wessels; Samuel D. Prien; Lindsay L. Penrose; Jaou-Chen Huang

Volume : VIII, Issue : XI, November - 2019

Impacts of Culture Media and Prostacyclin on Embryo Development in vitro: a systematic review

Bradley K. Schniers, Cara Wessels, Samuel D. Prien, Lindsay L. Penrose, Jaou Chen Huang

Abstract :

Previous research has suggested the inclusion of prostacyclin (PGI2) in culture media improves emyo quality and pregnancy outcomes. PGI2 is found naturally in large quantities in the oviducts during fertilization and early stage emyo development, and could potentially be beneficial for fertilization and early emyo growth. It has been theorized that PGI2 stimulates the an anti-apoptotic pathway in early emyonic stages, and can prevent emyos from going through apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Developing emyos often suffer from apoptosis while in culture for ART procedures, which could potentially be halted by inclusion of PGI2 in the growth media. If a PGI2 media additive could provide some stability to the development of the emyos during IVF, it is possible the resulting healthier cohort of emyos could reduce the number of IVF and emyo transfers that patients must undergo. It has recently been reported that Iloprost, a biosynthetic PGI2 analogue and cardiovascular active drug, enhances emyo development and prevents apoptosis. It has been hypothesized that the mechanism involves the induction of the survivin pathway. This review highlights culture media influence on emyo development, the importance of PGI2 and prostaglandins in emyo development, the challenges emyos face during development, and how these are connected.