Adverse effects of advanced glycation end products on embryonal development.

We studied the eff ects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs which are known to accumulate in patients with diabetes autoimmune diseases or those who smoke on embryonal development. Pronuclear (PN embryos were obtained by fl ushing the fallopian tubes of rats after superovulation and mating. The cleavage rate and blastocyst yield were evaluated at 24 72 96 and 120 h of culture. Glyoxal an AGE‑forming aldehyde suppressed embryonal development at every stage from PN to blastocyst in a concentration‑dependent manner. The cleavage rate of the embryo was also signifi ‑ cantly decreased by treatment with glyoxal at concentrations of 1 mM or higher. The blastocyst yield was signifi cantly decreased by treatment with glyoxal at concentrations of 0.5 mM or higher. N‑acetyl‑L‑cysteine (L‑NAC at 1 mM signifi cantly suppressed the glyoxal‑induced embryonal toxicity. BSA‑AGEs at 5 �g/ml or higher concentration signifi cantly reduced the cleavage rate and blastocyst yield compared to those for BSA‑treated embryos. L‑NAC at 1 mM signifi cantly suppressed BSA‑ AGE‑induced embryonal toxicity. Because AGEs are embryo‑toxic AGE contamination may infl uence the pregnancy rate of ��� ����� fertilization and embryo transfer. AGEs which are increased in women under pathological conditions may also be involved in their infertility.