Effect of micro-vibration culture system on embryo development

Abstract

Purpose: Micro-vibration culture system was examined to determine the effects on mouse and human embryo development and possible improvement of clinical outcomes in poor responders.

Materials and methods: The embryonic development rates and cell numbers of blastocysts were compared between a static culture group (n = 178) and a micro-vibration culture group (n = 181) in mice. The embryonic development rates and clinical results were compared between a static culture group (n = 159 cycles) and a micro-vibration culture group (n = 166 cycles) in poor responders. A micro-vibrator was set at a frequency of 42 Hz, 5 s/60 min duration for mouse and human embryo development.

Results: The embryonic development rate was significantly improved in the micro-vibration culture group in mice (p < 0.05). The cell numbers of mouse blastocysts were significantly higher in the micro-vibration group than in the static culture group (p < 0.05). In the poor responders, the rate of high grade embryos was not significantly improved in the micro-vibration culture group on day 3. However, the optimal embryonic development rate on day 5 was improved in the micro-vibration group, and the total pregnancy rate and implantation rate were significantly higher in the micro-vibration group than in the static culture group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Micro-vibration culture methods have a beneficial effect on embryonic development in mouse embryos. In poor responders, the embryo development rate was improved to a limited extent under the micro-vibration culture conditions, but the clinical results were significantly improved.

Fig. 1

a Appearance of the micro-vibrator installed in the incubator. b 3-dimensional movement of the micro-vibrator (according to the product specifications provided by Nepa Gene)

Fig. 2

Comparison of mouse embryo quality between the static culture group and the micro-vibration culture group on day 3 (a, b) and day 5 (c, d) and a comparison of the cell numbers between the static culture group and the micro-vibration culture group (e, f) a Static cultured embryos on day 3, magnification ×200 b Micro-vibration cultured embryos on day 3, magnification ×200 c Static cultured embryos on day 5, magnification ×200 d Micro-vibration cultured embryos on day 5, magnification ×200 e Stained blastocyst from the static culture, magnification ×400 f Stained blastocyst from the micro-vibration culture, magnification ×400

Fig. 3

Comparison of the average cell numbers of mouse blastocysts between the static culture group and the micro-vibration culture group. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean