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Shu Hashimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Shu Hashimoto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Growing porcine oocyte-granulosa cell complexes acquired meiotic competence during in vitro culture.

The aim of this study was to establish a culture system to improve the meiotic competence of porcine oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) obtained from preantral or early antral follicles. Porcine OGCs were recovered from follicles with diameters of 230-300 (preantral follicles), 300-500, and 500-700 mum (early antral follicles) using scalpels. The OGCs were cultured for 2 weeks in culture medium. We examined the effects of the sizes of the follicles from which OGCs were recovered, the concentrations of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 0-8%) in the culture medium, and 2 types of culture dish (Falcon 3002 vs 1007) on formation of the antrum of OGCs. After culture, the oocytes were matured for 44 h to assess their meiotic competence. OGCs recovered from small follicles (230-500 microm) required longer (P<0.05) than larger follicles to form the antrum structure. The percentage of OGCs forming the antrum structure that were cultured in 2% PVP (31%) was higher (P<0.05) than for those cultured in other PVP concentrations (0-11%). The percentages of antrum-structure formation for OGCs cultured on Falcon 3002 (83% for 2% PVP and 60% for 4% PVP) were higher (P<0.05) than those cultured on Falcon 1007 (47% for 2% PVP and 9% for 4% PVP). Furthermore, all of the intact oocytes that were obtained from culture of OGCs and that formed an antrum were in the GV stage (n=28). When these immature oocytes were cultured for 44 h, the percentage of oocytes that reached the metaphase II stage (25%, n=68) was higher (P<0.0001) than that of oocytes matured without culture (0.7%, n=137). The results of the present study show that porcine OGCs obtained from preantral or early antral follicles acquire meiotic competence in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effect of different sites for cryopreserved ovarian tissue implantation in rabbit.

BACKGROUND: Autotransplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue has proven to be an effective method to restore endocrine function and fertility. But it remains to be studied which site and which method is most effective and practical. We therefore implanted small pieces of cryopreserved ovarian tissues into different sites in rabbits to find the optimal position. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand white female rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1, fresh ovarian tissues were implanted into the mesometrium and ovarian bursa. In group 2, cryopreserved ovarian tissues were implanted into the mesometrium and ovarian bursa. In group 3, cryopreserved ovarian tissues were implanted into the preserved ovary. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the three groups as to the proportions of normal and morphologically changed follicles in implanted ovarian tissues. The implanted ovarian tissues in the three groups did not show any evident changes in histology and ultrastructure, and all resumed follicle development and revealed maturescent follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation and implantation of small pieces of ovarian tissues are feasible. Generally, the mesometrium, ovarian bursa and ovary are all available sites for implantation and have similar rates of acceptance, despite some differences in the details of implantation.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Establishment and characterization of CAG/EGFP transgenic rabbit line.

Cell marking is a very important procedure for identifying donor cells after cell and/or organ transplantation in vivo. Transgenic animals expressing marker proteins such as enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in their tissues are a powerful tool for research in fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The purpose of this study was to establish transgenic rabbit lines that ubiquitously express EGFP under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer/beta-actin promoter (CAG) to provide a fluorescent transgenic animal as a bioresource. We microinjected the EGFP expression vector into 945 rabbit eggs and 4 independent transgenic candidate pups were obtained. Two of them died before sexual maturation and one was infertile. One transgenic male candidate founder rabbit was obtained and could be bred by artificial insemination. The rabbit transmitted the transgene in a Mendelian manner. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, we detected the transgene at 7q11 on chromosome 7 as a large centromeric region in two F1 offspring (one female and one male). Eventually, one transgenic line was established. Ubiquitous EGFP fluorescence was confirmed in all examined organs. There were no gender-related differences in fluorescence. The established CAG/EGFP transgenic rabbit will be an important bioresource and a useful tool for various studies in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

An inhibitory effect of A20 on NF-kappaB activation in airway epithelium upon influenza virus infection.

Influenza is a major disease in humans. The reemergence of avian influenza A viruses has indicated that hyperinflammatory responses are closely related to the severity of disease. Influenza virus infection induces nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-dependent gene products promote lung inflammation and injury. Therefore, it is important to investigate the means to attenuate NF-kappaB activation. A20 is a cytoplasmic zinc finger protein that inhibits NF-kappaB activity, However, little is known about the role of A20 in influenza virus infection. Here, we have examined the role of A20 in influenza virus infection-induced NF-kappaB promoter activation in human bronchial epithelial cells. The results showed that (1) A20 protein and mRNA are inducible and expressed in the lung from mice and human bronchial epithelial cells upon influenza virus infection; (2) NF-kappaB promoter activation was induced in bronchial epithelial cells upon influenza virus infection; and (3) overexpression by transient transfection of A20 attenuated NF-kappaB promoter activation in bronchial epithelial cells. These results indicate that A20 may function as a negative regulator of NF-kappaB-mediated lung inflammation and injury upon influenza virus infection, thereby protecting the host against inflammatory response to influenza virus infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Successful monozygotic twin delivery following in vitro maturation of oocytes retrieved from a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome: case report.

The incidence of monozygotic twinning (MZT) appears to be increasing within the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), although the factors contributing to the phenomenon are still far from being identified. On the contrary, in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is becoming more accepted and more and more babies have been born worldwide using this procedure. Assessing its safety and impact on monozygotic twinning (MZT), and following up the health of these babies, is essential. We report here a first case of successful monozygotic (MZ) twin delivery following IVM. The patient was a 28-year-old Japanese female, referred to the IVF clinic for primary infertility. Several previous cycles of ovarian stimulation had resulted in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The patient received norethisterone-mestranol to initiate the menstruation, and oocyte retrieval was performed 36 h after hCG. A total of 22 immature oocytes were obtained. Following incubation for 24 h in IVM medium, 50% of the oocytes were matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage. Nine oocytes were fertilized after ICSI with the husband's sperm. Three day 3 embryos were transferred into the uterus on the fourth day following oocyte retrieval. Three weeks after embryo transfer, a single gestational sac was visualized in the uterus. At 7 weeks of gestation, two fetal poles with cardiac activity were seen in the single gestational sac. Serial ultrasound examinations revealed a MZ, monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy. After intensive perinatal monitoring, two healthy male infants were delivered by Caesarean section at 35 weeks of gestation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Identification of Op18/stathmin as a potential target of ASK1-p38 MAP kinase cascade.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinase that activates the JNK and p38 MAP kinase cascades and has a broad range of biological activities including cell differentiation and stress-induced apoptosis. However, effector molecules of ASK1-MAP kinase cascades that exert such activities have not been fully identified. Here we have identified oncoprotein 18 (Op18)/stathmin as a potential target of the ASK1-p38 cascade. By two-dimensional electrophoresis, phosphorylation of Op18/stathmin was found to be increased upon the expression of constitutively active ASK1 (ASK1DeltaN) in PC12 cells. The ASK1-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of Op18/stathmin was attenuated by the treatment with SB203580, suggesting that p38alpha and/or p38beta contribute to the phosphorylation of Op18/stathmin. Consistently, we found that all four isoforms of p38 directly phosphorylated Op18/stathmin primarily at serine 25 in vitro. Taken together with the quantitative RT-PCR data indicating that p38alpha was the dominantly expressed isoform in PC12 cells, ASK1-induced phosphorylation of Op18/stathmin appears to be mediated mainly through p38alpha in these cells. Given that the microtubule-destabilizing activity of Op18/stathmin is regulated by its phosphorylation, the ASK1-p38 cascade may regulate microtubule dynamics through Op18/stathmin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

[A questionnaire report concerning the actual situation of respiratory physicians in Japan].

A nation-wide questionnaire was carried out at the end of 2004 to elucidate the actual situation of respiratory physicians in Japan. The questionnaires were characterized by simultaneously looking into the actual situation in the departments of respiratory medicine, cardiology and gastroenterology. The number of the surveyed institution was 168, from which questionnaire replies were obtained from 79 general hospitals, 39 university hospitals and 10 hospitals mainly for tuberculosis. In general hospitals, compared to the departments of cardiology and gastroenterology, the full-time physician staff in the department of respiratory medicine per 10 inpatient beds was only 60.9% and 79.4%, while specialist staff were 54.9% and 68.4%, respectively. The numbers of deaths in the department of respiratory medicine per 10 inpatient beds were 186.9% and 132.6%, compared with in the departments of cardiology and gastroenterology, while those per full-time physicians were 271.9% and 148.5%, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that there was an obvious shortage in number of not only in respiratory specialists but also of all respiratory physicians. Furthermore, respiratory physicians were taking care of more severe patients than other colleagues.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2005

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in leukotriene D(4)-induced activator protein-1 activation in airway smooth muscle cells.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTs) are involved in allergic disorders including bronchial asthma. Transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation is essential for cell proliferation and differentiation. LTD(4) is shown to promote human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation; however, the effect of LTD(4) on AP-1 activation in airway smooth muscle cells and the molecular mechanism in regulating AP-1 activation have not been determined. We examined the effect LTD(4) on AP-1 activation in human airway smooth muscle cells and analyzed a role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1), an upstream kinase kinase of c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in LTD(4)-induced AP-1 activation to clarify the signaling molecule regulating AP-1 activation. The results showed that LTD(4) induced AP-1 activation determined by AP-1-dependent luciferase gene activity and ASK1 phosphorylation. Transient transfection of the dominant negative form of ASK1 attenuated LTD(4)-induced AP-1 activation. In addition, LTD(4)-induced AP-1 activity was depressed in the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells compared to that in the parental porcine artery endothelial cells. These results indicate that LTD(4) is capable of inducing AP-1 activation and ASK1 regulates AP-1 activation in LTD(4)-stimulated airway smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Interferon-{beta} inhibits bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by decreasing transforming growth factor-{beta} and thrombospondin.

Pulmonary fibrosis is the result of abnormal processes of repair that occur after lung injury. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a key molecule in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Although clinical use of interferon (IFN)-beta did not improve survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, because some preclinical studies have suggested that IFN-beta is a potent inhibitor of fibrogenesis, beneficial effects of IFN-beta have been expected. We therefore attempted to determine effects of IFN-beta and investigated the mechanism of action of IFN-beta in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Bleomycin at Day 0 and IFN-beta for 4 wk were administered intravenously to ICR mice. At 28 d after bleomycin injection, histologic and chemical analysis was performed for evaluation of effects of IFN-beta. Tissue distribution and amounts of TGF-beta1 and thrombospondin (TSP)-1/2 were analyzed. IFN-beta attenuated prolylhydroxylase activity, resulting in inhibition of pulmonary fibrosis. Bleomycin-induced increase in TGF-beta1 in epithelial cells and extracellular matrix was attenuated by IFN-beta. TSP-1/2 was limited in platelets of control mice, but was present in foamy cells in fibrotic regions induced by bleomycin. These findings suggest that the antifibrotic effect of IFN-beta is inhibition of TGF-beta and its activation via decrease in TSP-1/2 in lung tissue and change in location of TSP-1/2 from platelets to foamy cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A20 inhibits toll-like receptor 2- and 4-mediated interleukin-8 synthesis in airway epithelial cells.

The zinc finger protein A20 is encoded by an immediate early response gene and acts as an inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent gene expression induced by different stimuli, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 have been found to transduce, respectively, peptidoglycan (PGN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signals for the activation of NF-kappaB and the production of inflammatory cytokines. Here, we have examined the role of A20 in TLR-mediated NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in human airway epithelial cells (AECs). Stimulation with LPS and PGN resulted in a significant increase in the level of A20 mRNA in primary cultured AECs and in NCI-H292 AECs. LPS and PGN induced activation of the IL-8 promoter both in NCI-H292 AECs and in HEK293 cells expressing either TLR2 or TLR4 plus MD-2. Dominant-negative myeloid differentiation protein and a mutant form of IkappaBalpha attenuated this PGN- or LPS-induced activation of the IL-8 promoter. Furthermore, overexpression of A20 inhibited activation of both NF-kappaB and the IL-8 promoter by PGN or LPS in these cells. Taken together, our results suggest that A20 may function as a negative regulator of TLR-mediated inflammatory responses in the airway, thereby protecting the host against harmful overresponses to pathogens.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed2004

Catalase in manipulation buffer enhances the developmental competence of DNA-injected embryos.

To improve the efficiency of transgenesis, we investigated the effects of a radical scavenger during microinjection on the development to blastocysts or pups of mouse pronuclear embryos, microinjected with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgene. When embryos were microinjected in medium containing 0-1,000 units/ml catalase, the developmental rate to blastocysts was significantly higher (P<0.01) in 100-units/ml catalase (81%) than those in 0 and 1,000 units/ml (56 and 65%). To investigate the ontogenetic ability of DNA-injected embryos, EGFP-injected embryos manipulated under 0 or 100 units/ml catalase were transferred separately to recipient mice. The proportion of fetuses derived from EGFP-injected embryos manipulated under 100 units/ml catalase (29%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that manipulated under 0 units/ml catalase (19%). Furthermore, the numbers of transgenic pups were 17 in 100 units/ml catalase and 14 in 0 units/ml catalase. The results of the present study indicate that scavenging reactive oxygen species during in vitro micromanipulation is beneficial for the development of DNA-injected embryos.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Effects of follicle size and electrolytes and glucose in maturation medium on nuclear maturation and developmental competence of bovine oocytes.

The concentrations of electrolytes (Na, K, Cl, Mg and Ca) and glucose in small follicle (SF) follicular fluid (SFF) and large follicle (LF) follicular fluid (LFF) from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were studied. Oocytes were matured in medium based on synthetic oviductal fluid. The effects of various concentrations of electrolytes (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and glucose in the maturation medium on the progression of nuclear maturation and subsequent development were also studied. K in SFF was significantly greater than that in LFF. The Mg concentration in follicular fluid (FF) is 2.0-2.3 mM, which is greater than the concentration present in medium generally used for culture. The glucose concentration in FF is about 3.5-3.9 mM and rapidly decreases during the preservation of ovaries. LF oocytes resumed nuclear maturation and progressed to the M2 stage significantly faster than those collected from SF oocytes. In addition, more LF oocytes developed to blastocysts than did SF oocytes. Changing the Na/K ratio in the maturation medium from 16 to 24 did not affect either the progression of nuclear maturation or the rate of development. A low concentration of Mg (0.5 mM) combined with a low Ca concentration (0.5 mM) inhibited the rate of development, but did not affect the progression of nuclear maturation. On the other hand, increasing the Mg concentration to 2.0 mM from 0.5 mM hastened the progression of nuclear maturation and improved the rate of blastulation, irrespective of the Ca concentration. The progression of nuclear maturation was faster and the rate of development was greater with 5.56 mM glucose than with 1.5 mM glucose. The difference in time needed to progress to M2 among the experiment was about 2-3 h. Therefore, prolonging the maturation periods from 21 to 24 h did not change the rate of development. Our results show that the concentrations of Mg and glucose in the maturation medium and the follicle size enveloping the oocyte affect the progression of nuclear maturation and subsequent development. The time requirement for oocytes to reach M2 is strongly related to the developmental competence of the oocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Refined porcine follicle stimulating hormone promotes the responsiveness of rabbits to multiple-ovulation treatment.

We investigated whether refined follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with only a little contaminating LH can promote the responsiveness of rabbits to multiple-ovulation treatment. One group of female rabbits was stimulated with refined porcine FSH (pFSH), an FSH source with low LH activity, and another group was treated with pFSH. The mean number of eggs recovered from donors stimulated with refined pFSH (27 +/- 3) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than that with pFSH (20 +/- 2). Furthermore, the mean number of remaining follicles of donors stimulated with refined pFSH (19 +/- 4) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than that with pFSH (12 +/- 1). To decrease the number of remaining follicles in donors treated with refined pFSH, the dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was increased from 75 to 150. However, there were no differences in the numbers of eggs and remaining follicles. The results of the present study suggest that refined pFSH with little contaminating LH promotes the responsiveness of rabbits to multiple-ovulation treatment compared with pFSH.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

ASK1 regulates influenza virus infection-induced apoptotic cell death.

Apoptosis occurs in influenza virus (IV)-infected cells. There are a number of mechanisms for the regulation of apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism of IV infection-induced apoptosis is still controversial. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1) is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the SEK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK signaling cascades. ASK1 has been implicated in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. Here, we show the following: (1) IV infection activated ASK1 and concomitantly phosphorylated JNK and p38 MAPK in human bronchial epithelial cells; (2) the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK but not extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) in embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from ASK1 knockout mice (ASK1(-/-) MEFs) was depressed compared to MEFs derived from wild type mice (ASK1(+/+) MEFs); and (3) ASK1(-/-) MEFs were defective in IV infection-induced caspase-3 activation and cell death. These results indicate that apoptosis in IV-infected BEC is mediated through ASK1-dependent cascades.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-mediated signaling pathway regulates nitric oxide-induced activator protein-1 activation in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) is increased in individuals with bronchial asthma. NO may have antiinflammatory and proinflammatory effects; however, its role in bronchial asthma is unclear. In the present study, to clarify this issue we examined the effect of NO in inducing activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) and a role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1), an upstream kinase kinase of c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in NO-mediated AP-1 activation. The results showed that (1) the reactive nitrogen generating species NOR-1(+/--(E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxykmino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexeneamide]) induced AP-1 activation determined by AP-1-dependent luciferase gene activity, and an NO scavenger, carboxyl-PTIO, attenuated NOR-1-induced AP-1 activation; (2) NOR-1 phosphorylated ASK1, JNK, and p38 MAPK; and (3) transient transfection of the dominant negative form of AKS1 attenuated NOR-1-induced AP-1 activation in BEC. To further characterize the role of ASK-1 cascade, the dominant negative form of ASK1-stable transfected porcine artery endothelial (PAE) cells were used. AP-1 activity and JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation were depressed in the dominant-negative form of ASK1-stable transfected PAE cells. These results indicate that NO is capable of inducing AP-1 activation, and that ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade regulates AP-1 activation in NO-stimulated BEC.

Asthma↗
PubMed2003

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-mediated signaling pathway regulates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species initiate pulmonary vascular endothelial cell damage leading to an increase in endothelial permeability resulting in the production of pulmonary edema. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)-1 is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK and the SEK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. ASK1 has been implicated in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. However, little is known about the role of ASK1 in apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and how ASK1-mediated apoptosis is executed. To clarify this issue, we examined the role of ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade in apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in H2O2-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. DESIGN: Experimental laboratory study. SETTING: University laboratory. SUBJECTS: Normal human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. INTERVENTIONS: Western blot analysis and quantification of apoptosis in cells. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The results showed that H2O2 induced ASK1 phosphorylation and concomitantly p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation as well as induced caspase-3 activation in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. To further characterize the role of ASK1 cascade in H2O2-induced apoptosis of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells was used. p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis in the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells were depressed compared with those in the parental porcine artery endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade regulates apoptosis of H2O2-stimulated human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Stage-specific effect of growth hormone on developmental competence of bovine embryos produced in-vitro.

Many efforts have been made to develop effective culture conditions for the production of bovine blastocysts. Growth hormone (GH) and glucose are known to affect in vitro embryo development. To improve in vitro culture conditions, the culture medium containing fetal calf serum (FCS) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) was supplemented with GH at various periods of development, and the effects of GH on the rate of development and the quality of the blastocysts were studied. Then, starting at the morula stage, the effect of glucose and GH on the rate of development was studied. In all experimental periods, FCS was more effective than BSA at improving the development rate and increasing the cell number of blastocysts. Adding GH to the culture medium between 18 and 48 h after fertilization (1-8 cell stage embryo) did not affect either the rate of blastulation or the cell number regardless of the serum protein (FCS or BSA). From 48 to 120 h after fertilization (5-cell to morula stage) GH increased the cell number of the blastocysts in the presence of BSA, but not in the presence of FCS. From 120 to 192 h after fertilization (morula to blastocyst stage), GH improved the developmental rate and cell number in the presence of FCS, although there was no significant difference when BSA was used instead of FCS as the serum protein. When cows were implanted with blastocysts developed in the presence of GH from the morula stage, their pregnancy rate did not differ from that of the control. Increasing the glucose concentration in the medium from 1.5 mM to 3 mM starting at the morula stage (120 h after fertilization) slightly decreased the rate of development, but on the other hand, decreasing the glucose concentration to 0 mM did not affect either the rate of development or the cell number. Also, then GH had no effect on the developmental rate or the cell number in the absence of glucose. In conclusion, when the medium was supplemented with serum, GH improved embryo development from the morula stage, but an increased concentration of glucose decreased embryo development. Furthermore, GH did not improve the pregnancy rate of blastocysts developed in vitro.

Animals↗