IMPACTS OF CULTURE MEDIA AND PROSTACYCLIN ON EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Previous research has suggested the inclusion of prostacyclin (PGI2) in culture media improves embryo
quality and pregnancy outcomes. PGI2 is found naturally in large quantities in the oviducts during
fertilization and early stage embryo development, and could potentially be benecial for fertilization and early embryo growth.
It has been theorized that PGI2 stimulates the an anti-apoptotic pathway in early embryonic stages, and can prevent embryos
from going through apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Developing embryos often suffer from apoptosis while in culture for
ART procedures, which could potentially be halted by inclusion of PGI2 in the growth media. If a PGI2 media additive could
provide some stability to the development of the embryos during IVF, it is possible the resulting healthier cohort of embryos could
reduce the number of IVF and embryo transfers that patients must undergo. It has recently been reported that Iloprost, a
biosynthetic PGI2 analogue and cardiovascular active drug, enhances embryo development and prevents apoptosis. It has
been hypothesized that the mechanism involves the induction of the survivin pathway. This review highlights culture media
inuence on embryo development, the importance of PGI2 and prostaglandins in embryo development, the challenges
embryos face during development, and how these are connected.