A self-contained culture platform using carbon dioxide produced from a chemical reaction supports mouse blastocyst development in vitro

Abstract

Elevated CO 2 is required for in vitro embryo culture to maintain proper media pH and to supply embryo metabolic pathways. As an alternative to current approaches using gas cylinders, we examined use of a chemical reaction to supply CO 2. A closed culture system was constructed and chemicals added to generate CO 2, which was then supplied to developing embryos. This system was shown to provide a stable pH (7.2-7.4) over 4 days of use. One-cell mouse embryos were cultured in the device and no difference in blastocyst formation or cell number was apparent between embryos grown in a closed system with CO 2 supplied by a chemical reaction or positive controls grown in a an open system in a CO 2 incubator. This approach provides a highly purified, inexpensive, and easily obtainable gas source and offers potential for development of new, self-contained culture platforms. © 2011 by the Society for Reproduction and Development.