Connections between preimplantation embryo physiology and culture

Purpose To review the history of experimental embryo culture and how culture media that permitted complete preimplantation development in vitro were first discovered, and the physiological insights gained. Methods This article reviews the history of in vitro mammalian embryo culture, in particular the efforts that led to the current generation of successful culture media and how these reflect embryo physiology, highlighting the contributions of Dr. John D. Biggers and his colleagues and students. Results The culture of mammalian embryos began about a century ago. However, defined media without biological fluids were only developed in the late 1950s, and the first live young born from cultured embryos, using these media, were produced by McLaren and Biggers in 1958. It wasn’t until the late 1980s, however, that preimplantation mammalian embryos could generally be cultured in vitro from fertilized eggs to blastocysts. These new media led to insights into embryo physiology, including the importance of cell volume homeostasis to early embryo viability. Conclusions The development of successful preimplantation embryo culture media has had a profound effect on assisted reproduction technologies and on research into early embryo physiology.