The use of Matrigel∗ at low concentration enhances in vitro blastocyst formation and hatching in a mouse embryo model

Objective: To determine the effect of Matrigel at a low concentration on the growth of mouse embryos in culture. Design: Randomized case-control study of mouse embryos. Setting: An academic research environment. Animals: Mouse embryos. Intervention(s): Embryos were cultured in Quinn’s or Celbio’s human tubal fluid (HTF) enriched with 1.5% bovine serum albumin and 0.8% liquid Matrigel. Each HTF was compared with the same medium devoid of Matrigel. Afterward, Quinn’s and Celbio’s HTF, both containing Matrigel, were compared directly. Embryos were cultured in four-well dishes, and their morphology and viability were assessed at 96 hours. Main Outcome Measure(s): Level of interleukin-1α in media collected at the end of culture. Result(s): In both types of HTF, the presence of Matrigel allowed a larger number of embryos to reach the blastocyst stage and to hatch; blastocyst morphology also was improved. These positive effects were enhanced in Quinn’s HTF: embryos cultured in its Matrigel-enriched version secreted a higher level of interleukin-1α than those in Celbio’s HTF plus Matrigel and also showed a better morphology. Conclusion(s): In the mouse embryo model, Matrigel improves culture conditions in terms of both embryo viability and morphology, and these effects are enhanced in Quinn’s HTF.