Rat embryo culture using rabbit serum as a medium for developmental toxicity studies

J Appl Toxicol. 1997 May-Jun;17(3):185-8. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1263(199705)17:3<185::aid-jat428>3.0.co;2-#.

Abstract

The usefulness of rabbit serum as a culture medium for postimplantation rat embryos was examined. Rat embryos at day 9.5 of gestation were cultured in a mixture of rat and rabbit sera at various ratios (v/v) for 48 h. In 100% rat serum, a usual medium, rat embryos grew well. On the contrary, rat embryos died with little growth in 100% rabbit serum. In 75% rabbit and 25% rat sera, rat embryos grew but were morphologically abnormal. In 50% rabbit and 50% rat serum, however, rat embryos grew well showing no morphological abnormalities, as in 100% rat serum. It was concluded from these results that rabbit serum could be used at a proportion up to 50% as a medium for postimplantation rat embryo culture in a mixed form with rat serum. The rat embryo culture using rabbit serum as a medium would be useful in developmental toxicity studies, especially those involving species differences and toxicokinetics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood
  • Culture Media
  • Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology*
  • Embryonic Development
  • Female
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Toxicity Tests / methods

Substances

  • Culture Media