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Quiet please, do not disturb: a hypothesis of embryo metabolism and viability
Author(s) -
Leese Henry J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.10137
Subject(s) - embryo , biology , somatic cell , embryo culture , microbiology and biotechnology , andrology , genetics , embryogenesis , medicine , gene
This review uses nutritional markers of normal and impaired development to address the question; what makes a viable mammalian preimplantation embryo? Resolution of this question is important to ensure the long‐term safety of embryo‐based biotechnologies in man and domestic animals, the optimisation of embryo production and culture conditions and the development of methods to select viable embryos for replacement. After considering the nutrition of embryos and somatic cells, and the phenomenon of caloric restriction, it is concluded that preimplantation embryo survival is best served by a relatively low level of metabolism; a situation achieved by reducing the concentrations of nutrients in culture media and encouraging the use endogenous resources. BioEssays 24:845–849, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.