Open AccessLong-term effects of culture of preimplantation mouse embryos on behavior
Author(s) -
David J. Ecker,
Paula Stein,
Zhe Xu,
Carmen J. Williams,
Gregory S. Kopf,
Warren B. Bilker,
Ted Abel,
Richard M. Schultz
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0306846101
Subject(s) - embryo , embryo culture , embryo transfer , biology , andrology , microbiology and biotechnology , embryogenesis , medicine
Many procedures used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to treat human infertility entail culture of preimplantation embryos. Moreover, there is an increasing trend to culture embryos for longer periods of time before uterine transfer to identify the "best" embryos for transfer and to minimize multiple pregnancies. Embryo culture, however, can perturb embryo metabolism and gene expression, and the long-term consequences of culture are unknown. We have explored the behavioral consequences of embryo culture by using a 129S6/SvEvTac/C57BL/6J F(1) mouse model and find that adults derived from cultured embryos exhibit specific behavioral alterations in the elevated zero maze and Morris water maze tasks.