Reproduction Abstracts

The preimplantation embryo undergoes dynamic changes in energy demand during development. Oxygen consumption rate (OCR), representing overall oxidative metabolism, has been reported in several species but few studies have examined the components of OCR. Individual blastocyst OCR was measured using a non-invasive oxygen probe (unisense), whereas OCR of grouped blastocysts was determined using the Oxygen Biosensor fluorometric assay (BD Bioscience). Respiratory chain inhibitors ...

Oviduct luminal fluid supports early embryo development. The composition this fluid has been debated despite studies using post mortem samples and direct sampling under anesthesia. The routine availability of such data would benefit in vitro embryo culture in addition to our understanding of the influences of maternal physiology on in vivo oviduct fluid composition.We have devised an in vitro model for the determination of bovi...