Researchers have identified the unexpected culprit behind developmental problems in lab limited embryos (normal laboratory glassware). According to a study published on April 2 Reproductive Biology.
The multinational research team, led by Professor Kazuo from the University of Chennai, Japan, found that at a critical developmental stage, zinc leaching in glass instruments disrupts chromosomal isolation and gene activation. Their findings may explain previous mysterious failures in assisted reproduction and may lead to an increased success rate of IVF programs in humans and animals.
“We determined that the ZN eluted from glassware is embryonic substance,” the researchers noted in the paper. Common laboratory items, such as glass pipettes, filters containing fiberglass and glass-bottom observation dishes, all release zinc at various levels of zinc.
The finding was conducted during routine experiments, when researchers noticed an unexplained decline in embryonic development despite the ongoing laboratory conditions. After systematic research, they determined that zinc concentrations as low as 6 micromoles (both leaching in standard glassware) could greatly impair the development of mouse embryos.
Within the first 48 hours after fertilization, mouse embryos were particularly sensitive to zinc exposure, abnormal abnormalities in chromosomal separation and cell division. Although many affected embryos simply fail to develop normally, embryos reaching the intact stage show significantly higher birth weights than controls.
Human and bovine embryos are also affected by zinc exposure, although sensitivity varies between species. In human embryos, researchers observed a significant increase in “direct cleavage” – an abnormal endosperm cleavage characterized by each cleavage.
The study highlights how seemingly smaller factors in laboratory settings have substantial biological consequences. “This study not only emphasizes the importance of risk control in embryonic culture, but also promotes the development of safe and effective assisted reproductive methods,” the team explained.
Researchers identified potential countermeasures to alleviate zinc toxicity. In the zinc-sensitive development window, adding chelating agents such as chelating agents to the culture medium can effectively protect the embryos and achieve normal and perfect development. Thorough washing of glassware before use also improves the results.
The accompanying press release states: “The results of this study lead to the development of safer and more effective methods of in vitro fertilization.”
As assisted reproductive technology continues to move forward globally – 2.4 million treatments have been conducted annually since 1978, with more than 9 million treatments, and these insights into subtle laboratory factors may help further improve the success rate of fertility treatments.
For potential parents to undergo fertility treatment, this study provides hope that improvements in the laboratory protocol can lead to more reliable results. Meanwhile, field scientists from human medicine to livestock reproduction and developmental biology now have valuable information that can enhance their experimental controls.
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