The effects of bovine serum albumin, bovine uterine fluid, and heat-treated bovine serum on in vitro mouse embryo development

Two-cell mouse embryos were cultured in Whitten's medium with one of three supplements: bovine serum albumin (WM + BSA), heat-treated bovine serum (WM + HTBS) or bovine uterine fluid (WM + BUF). Protein concentrations for cultures of WM + BSA were 50.2, 100.5, 251.2, 502.5, and 1005.0 mug/ml and for WM + HTBS were 70.4, 105.1, 269.0, 524.5 and 1193.9 mug/ml. Protein concentrations ranged from 56.9 to 739.1 mug/ml for 22 WM + BUF samples. Embryo development in all media was significantly correlated with the log total protein concentration. When compared to WM + BSA, development was not significantly inhibited or stimulated in any WM + BUF cultures or in WM with 70.4, 524.5 and 1193.9 mug/ml HTBS. Development was enhanced in WM with 105.1 and 269.0 mug/ml HTBS (P<0.05). The results suggest that at the protein concentrations used, culture media supplemented with BUF and BSA support similar mouse embryo development. Culture medium supplemented with HTBS supported embryo development more than medium with BSA. Uterine factors in the bovine capable of enhancing or inhibiting early embryo development were not detected.