Application of stem cells in vitro fertilization effects on A rat model

Nowadays, the inability to have children is an important problem that is trying to overcome with the development of new techniques. The important one of these techniques is in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertilization is performed under laboratory conditions, unfortunately success rate still is not enough. To increase the success in IVF, different media, factors such as growth factors and hormones are used. Stem cells are settled in the organism and the precursor cells directed through factors, also derived easily. Recently, it is known that stem cells create a microenvironment called 'niche' by secreting factors such as growth factors and affect positively the other cells, especially cancer cells. In this study, effects of stem cells and niche on fertilization and development of embryo were detected by exposing the stem cell and niche with oocytes collected from rats. The effects of stem cell microenvironment on fertilization were tried to determine by related parameters whether there is a increasing in the development of embryo and quality embryo. In our study, adult Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 50 g were used. Sperm and oocytes harvested from male and female rats were exposed to stem cell niche and effects of niche on maturation were examined. Female rats were divided into two groups including control and superovulation. Oocytes from both two groups were treated with Human Tubal Fluid Media, Single Step Media, alpha-MEM Media and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Media. Sperm collected from male rat epididymis were assessed in terms of criteria. Per thousand sperm with solution were added into the media including oocytes. Embryos occured with IVF were followed up to the eleventh day, and arrest, degeneration rates and alive embryos were established. After treatment, oocyte maturation, embryos at two or sixteen-cell and morula stage were observed between day 0 and day 9. Similarly treatment of the different media on the viability, quality and movement of sperm were searched. The effect of alpha-MEM Media on fertilization and embryo development was decreased while Single Step Media and Human Tubal Fluid Media were more beter respectively. The most optimal effect was occured by Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Media. It was ascertained that stem cell niche affected maturation, quality and viability of oocytes and sperm. Consequently, we supposed that application of stem cells might be used in the case of infertility. Additionally, results of our study are more important in that mesenchymal stem cell therapy was not occur damages. Understanding the mechanisms of efficiency of stem cell applications to germ cells will be fundamental step to enhance the succes of IVF.