Medium supplement to increase the efficiency of oocyte maturation and embryo culture in vitro

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel oocyte maturation medium or/and embryo culture medium with a chemically defined supplement to produce matured oocytes at high efficiency. The inventive medium or supplement comprises three growth factors, namely, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in a synergistic combination. Methods for oocyte and embryo culture are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medium for culturing an oocyte comprising fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in an amount effective to support culture of an oocyte therein. 
     
     
         2 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium does not comprise follicular fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium supports maturation of an oocyte cultured therein. 
     
     
         4 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium supports in vitro fertilization of an oocyte performed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium supports culture of a cumulus oocyte complex cultured therein. 
     
     
         6 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium is a liquid medium. 
     
     
         7 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium comprises a solid support. 
     
     
         8 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium comprises an oocyte. 
     
     
         9 . The medium of  claim 1 , wherein the medium comprises a plurality of oocytes. 
     
     
         10 . A method of oocyte maturation, said method comprising contacting an immature oocyte with the medium of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method of improving the developmental competence of an oocyte or an embryo produced from an oocyte, said method comprising contacting an oocyte with the medium of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of embryo transfer, said method comprising:
 a) contacting an oocyte with the medium of  claim 1 ;   b) producing an embryo from said oocyte; and   c) transferring said embryo to the uterus of a recipient female.   
     
     
         13 . A method of assisted reproduction, said method comprising contacting an oocyte with the medium of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the assisted reproduction comprises in vitro fertilization. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the assisted reproduction comprises somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). 
     
     
         16 . A medium for culturing an embryo comprising fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in an amount effective to support zygote development to a blastocyst. 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the medium is a liquid medium. 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the medium comprises a solid support. 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the medium comprises a zygote or an embryo. 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 16 , wherein the medium comprises a plurality of zygotes or embryos. 
     
     
         21 . A method of improving developmental competence of an embryo, said method comprising contacting a zygote or an embryo with the medium of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         22 . A method of embryo transfer, said method comprising contacting an embryo with the medium of  claim 16  prior to transfer of said embryo to the uterus of a recipient female.