The Co-culture with Vero Cells and the Development of Two Cell Mouse Embryos After Vitrification

The Mouse embryos can successfully be vitrified using ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant, however their development differs significantly from the non-vitrified embryos. The ability of their development can be improved when they co-culture with somatic cells. In the present study, the effects of co-culturing with Vero cells on the development of vitrified two cell mouse embryos were studied. Two cell embryos were flushed from the excised uteri of superovulated mice. Morphologically normal embryos were vitrified using 10% ethylene glycol solution (EFS10), and thawed rapidly using 0.5 M sucrose solution. The survived embryos were divided to two grops: one group cultured on RPMI and the another one co-cultured with Vero cells. Control embryos was considered for each experimental groups. The survival rate was 83%. The developmental rate of embryos which could reach to morula stage for the exp. group 1 and 2 were 52% and 69% respectively which the difference between the exp. groups was significant (P<0.001). Mean while 48% of the exp. group 1 could form blastocysts, accordingly the second group showed 60% and the difference was significant (P<0.001). The difference between the two exp. groups which could reach to hatching stage was not significant. The results suggest that the co-culture with Vero cells can improve the development of vitrified two cell mouse embryos