Effect of Fatty Acids on Fertilization and Development of Mouse Embryos In Vitro

Abstract

The interaction of protein and fatty acids on the fertilization and preimplantation development of mouse embzyos in vitro was investigated. Normal fraction V and fatty‐acid‐free bovine serum albumin (V‐BSA and FAF‐BSA) supported high rates of fertilization, but the addition of palmitic and/or oleic acids inhibited fertilization of mouse ova in vitro. Trichloroacetic acid‐extracted BSA (TCA‐BSA) totally inhibited fertilization, even in the absence of fatty acids. The normal V‐BSA was capable of supporting the development of one‐cell zygotes and, later, the preimplantation stages to fully expanded hatched blastocysts. Only 50% of oneand two‐cell embryos developed to fully expanded blastocysts in the presence of FAF‐BSA; TCA‐BSA did not support continued development to the blastocyst stage until culture was initiated at the eight‐cell stage. Oleic acid was better than palmitic acid, and the combination of both acids was best in promoting the formation and hatching of blastocysts from the one‐cell stage in medium containing FAF‐BSA. Thus, exogenous fatty acids inhibit fertilization of mouse ova, but they are required for the development of embryos. 1982 American Society of Andrology