Main description:

Assisted reproductive technologies have had a profound impact on biomedical research through transgenic animals, food supply and production, as wells as genetic gain of domestic species, and treatment of human infertility. While significant advances in embryo culture have occurred over the last few decades. In Embryo Culture: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study human embryo culture. These include emerging methods and the impact of embryo culture on epigenetics and offspring health is presented to set the stage for future research and laboratory application involving embryo culture. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and practical, Embryo Culture: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in the further study of this crucially important field of embryology and assisted reproductive technologies.

Contents:

1. Historical Background of Gamete and Embryo Culture

Jacques Cohen and Don Rieger

2. Utility of Animal Models for Human Embryo Culture Development - Rodents

Gary D. Smith

3. Utility of Animal Models for Human Embryo Culture Development-Domestic Species

Rebecca L. Krisher

4. Utility of Animal Models for Human Embryo Culture: Non-Human Primates

Calvin Simerly and Gerald Schatten

5. Media Composition: Salts and Osmolality

Jay M. Baltz

6. Media Composition: Energy Sources and Metabolism

Deirdre Zander-Fox and Michelle Lane

7. Media Composition - Amino Acids and Cellular Homeostasis

Franchesca D. Houghton

8. Media Composition: Macromolecules and Embryo Growth

Marius Meintjes

9. Media Composition- Antioxidants/Chelators and Cellular Function

Catherine M.H. Combelles and Margo L. Hennet

10. Media Composition: pH and Buffers

Jason E. Swain

11. Media Composition, Growth Factors

Aparna Hegde

12. Culture Systems - Single Step

Ronit Machtinger, Catherine Racowsky

13. Culture Systems - Sequential

Patrick Quinn

14. Embryo Coculture

Yves J R Menezo , Edouard Servy, Anna Veiga, Andre Hazout , Kay Elder

15. Low Oxygen Culture

Borut Kovacic

16. Culture Methods - Embryo density

Michael L. Reed

17. Culture Medium - Air Quality

Theodore Thomas

18. Mineral Oil Overlay and Embryo Culture

Dean E. Morbeck and Phoebe M. Hughes

19. Physiological and Environmental Factors That Can Affect the Outcome of Human ART

Don Rieger

20. Culture Systems: Fluid Dynamic Embryo Culture Systems (Microfluidics)

Andre Monteiro da Rocha and Gary D. Smith

21. Human Embryo Culture Media Comparisons

Thomas B. Pool, John Schoolfield and David Han

22. Embryo Culture and Monozygotic Twinning

Amy E. Sparks

23. Embryo Culture and Epigenetics

Brenna A. Market Velker, Michelle M. Denomme and Mellissa R.W. Mann

Andre Monteiro da Rocha and Gary D. Smith

21. Human Embryo Culture Media Comparisons

Thomas B. Pool, John Schoolfield and David Han

22. Embryo Culture and Monozygotic Twinning

Amy E. Sparks

23. Embryo Culture and Epigenetics

Brenna A. Market Velker, Michelle M. Denomme and Mellissa R.W. Mann

Andre Monteiro da Rocha and Gary D. Smith

21. Human Embryo Culture Media Comparisons

Thomas B. Pool, John Schoolfield and David Han

22. Embryo Culture and Monozygotic Twinning

Amy E. Sparks

23. Embryo Culture and Epigenetics

Brenna A. Market Velker, Michelle M. Denomme and Mellissa R.W. Mann