Article
Oestradiol, cyclodextrin-encapsulated 17β-oestradiol and the oestradiol solubilizer 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin all impair preimplantation mouse embryo development

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HβC) used as a solubilizer for oestradiol, 17β-oestradiol (ethanol soluble) and HβC-encapsulated-17β-oestradiol on mouse embryo development in vitro. HβC had no effect on day 3 development. In contrast, blastocyst development and blastocyst cell number were significantly reduced in the presence of 10−4 mol/l solubilizer equivalent, but not at lower concentrations. The proportion of compacted embryos was significantly reduced with 10−4 mol/l 17β-oestradiol. No blastocysts were formed at 10−4 mol/l concentration of 17β-oestradiol, although the rate of blastocyst formation did not differ at lower concentrations. Blastocyst cell number was significantly decreased compared with controls at 10−5 mol/l 17β-oestradiol. The dose-response using HβC-encapsulated-17β-oestradiol revealed that at 17β-oestradiol concentrations of 10−4 and 10−5 mol/l, blastocyst development was significantly reduced. Blastocyst cell number was significantly reduced compared with controls for all concentrations of HβC-encapsulated-17β-oestradiol. Exposure of embryos to 17β-oestradiol (10−4 mol/l) reduced blastocyst development on days 4 and 5 significantly in cultures initiated at the zygote, 2-cell and 8-cell, but not the morulae, stages of development. Trophectoderm, ICM and blastocyst cell numbers as well as percentage ICM development were reduced significantly, regardless of the stage of development. Therefore, 17β-oestradiol does compromise embryo development.

Section snippets

Levent Karagenc obtained his PhD from North Carolina State University, USA, on the development of avian primordial germ cells. He then worked with Dr Ralph L Brinster at the University of Pennsylvania on transplantation and long-term culture of spermatogonial stem cells and with Drs David K Gardner and Michelle Lane at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in Denver. He is currently directing a newly established Research Laboratory at the German Hospital in Istanbul. Developmental

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  • Cited by (3)

    Levent Karagenc obtained his PhD from North Carolina State University, USA, on the development of avian primordial germ cells. He then worked with Dr Ralph L Brinster at the University of Pennsylvania on transplantation and long-term culture of spermatogonial stem cells and with Drs David K Gardner and Michelle Lane at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in Denver. He is currently directing a newly established Research Laboratory at the German Hospital in Istanbul. Developmental biology of germ cells is his long-standing research interest. His current interests include the optimization of mammalian embryo culture systems and quality control/quality assurance in the IVF laboratory.

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