Effect of Insulin on Development of ICR Mouse Embryos in Vitro

Objective To study the effects and the appropriate concentration of insulin on the development of mouse embryos in vitro, and the effects of insulin on the development of different stages of embryos. Methods Mouse embryos were cultured in vitro in the mKSOM media supplemented with insulin at different concentrations and with insulin during different stages of embryos. The blastocyst rates and the cell numbers were counted. Results Additions of insulin significantly increased the rates of blastocyst and the total cell numbers. The concentrations of 0.005 µg/ml and 0.05 µg/ml insulin caused a significant increase in the total cell numbers compared with the control and experimental groups. Addition of insulin from 2-cell to 4-cell stage or from the 4-cell to morula stage, significantly increased the blastocyst rates compared with control and experimental groups. Conclusion Insulin can promote the development of mouse embryos in vitro. The appropriate concentration of insulin added in mKSOM was 0.005 µg/ml and 0.05 µg/ml. Exposure of embryos to insulin, beginning at the 2-cell and extending to the 4-cell stage or beginning at the 4-cell and extending to the morula stage, is important for the development of ICR mouse embryos in vitro.