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Optimising embryo development |
| We have learnt from the mother and the embryo. The components of the G5 Series™ reflect the environment in the female reproductive tract as well as the developmental requirements of the embryo. |
The need for sequential media |
Physiological conditions in the female tract vary from the oviduct to the uterus. In order to meet the changing requirements of the developing embryo in culture Vitrolife developed sequential media.
Sequential media have been proven to be highly effective in supporting the development of viable human embryos and blastocysts.
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The physiological conditions in the female reproductive tract, for example the concentrations of pyruvate, lactate, glucose, amino acids and oxygen, change from the ampulla of the oviduct to the uterus in a gradient manner.
In the ampulla the pyruvate and lactate concentrations are at their highest point and decrease down the reproductive tract to reach their lowest point in the uterus. The opposite is true for glucose. The glucose concentration is low in the ampulla and high in the uterus.16
These nutrient gradients have a significant impact on embryo physiology and viability.
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The embryo’s requirements differ with developmental stage. The pre-compacted embryo has a low metabolic activity. It has a limited capacity to utilise glucose and it generates energy from low levels of oxidation of pyruvate/lactate and amino acids.
Cell proliferation and compaction are stimulated by the presence of non-essential amino acids and EDTA. 22, 23
In contrast, the embryo post-compaction has a high metabolic activity. It uses glucose as the preffered nutrient and requires a wider array of amino acids for cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as specific vitamins to maintain oxidation.
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