Mammalian gamete and embryo culture media supplement and method of using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a supplement and a culture media useful for culturing mammalian gametes and embryonic tissue. The culture media comprises at least one of recombinant human albumin, fermented hyaluronan, and citrate. Because the constituents are produced from non-conventional sources, the culture medium is free from contaminants such as viruses, prions and endotoxins. Additionally, because the medium is completely defined, the medium is not subject to variations which can impair the development of mammalian cells and prevent meaningful comparisons of empirical studies.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mammalian culture medium comprising recombinant human albumin and a medium that can support cell development, wherein the mammalian culture medium increases the viability of gametes or embryonic cells cultured in the mammalian culture medium, and further wherein the mammalian culture medium is free from non-recombinant human albumin.  
     
     
         2 . The culture medium according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium that can support cell development is selected from the group consisting of G1.2/G2.2, KSOM/KSOMaa, M16, SOF/SOFaa, MTF, P1, HTF, Earle's, Hams F-10, M2, Hepes-G1.2, Whitten's and PBS.  
     
     
         3 . The culture medium according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium that can support cell development supports embryo development.  
     
     
         4 . The culture medium according to  claim 1 , wherein the medium that can support cell development supports mammalian stem cell development.  
     
     
         5 . The culture medium according to  claim 1 , comprising about 0.5 mg/ml to about 5.0 mg/ml recombinant human albumin and further comprising citrate.  
     
     
         6 . The culture medium according to  claim 2 , further comprising citrate.  
     
     
         7 . The culture medium according to  claim 1 , comprising about 0.5 mg/ml to about 5.0 mg/ml recombinant human albumin and further comprising fermented hyaluronan.  
     
     
         8 . The culture medium according to  claim 2 , further comprising fermented hyaluronan.  
     
     
         9 . The culture medium according to  claim 3 , further comprising citrate.  
     
     
         10 . The culture medium according to  claim 4 , further comprising citrate.  
     
     
         11 . The culture medium according to  claim 3 , further comprising fermented hyaluronan.  
     
     
         12 . The culture medium according to  claim 4 , further comprising fermented hyaluronan.  
     
     
         13 . A method of increasing the viability of embryonic cells comprising culturing an embryo in the mammalian culture medium of  claim 1 , wherein the viability of the embryo is increased.  
     
     
         14 . A mammalian culture medium supplement comprising recombinant human albumin, wherein the supplement increases the viability of gametes or embryonic cells cultured in a medium containing the supplement, and further wherein the supplement is free from non-recombinant human albumin.  
     
     
         15 . The supplement according to  claim 14  further comprising citrate.  
     
     
         16 . The supplement according to  claim 15 , wherein the citrate is present in a range of about 0.1 mM to about 1.0 mM when added to the medium.  
     
     
         17 . The supplement according to  claim 14 , wherein the recombinant human albumin is present in a range of about 0.5 mg/ml to about 5.0 mg/ml when added to the medium.  
     
     
         18 . A method of producing a supplement for a mammalian culture medium comprising adding recombinant human albumin to either water, saline or medium to make a supplement for a mammalian culture medium, wherein the supplement increases the viability of gametes or embryonic cells cultured in a medium containing the supplement, and further wherein the supplement is free from non-recombinant human albumin.  
     
     
         19 . The method of producing a supplement for a mammalian culture medium of  claim 18  further comprising adding citrate.  
     
     
         20 . A kit for supplementation of mammalian culture medium, comprising: 
 (a) a medium comprising recombinant human albumin, and optionally one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of mammalian culture medium, fermented hyaluronan, citrate and combinations thereof, wherein the medium increases the viability of gametes or embryonic cells cultured in the medium, and further wherein the medium is free from non-recombinant human albumin; and    (b) instructions for use of the kit.