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Abstract

A single culture media system is used to provide an optimal environment for the nutritional requirements for culturing of oocytes and embryos from the retrieval stage of oocytes through the implantation stage of embryos. This latter stage can be through the eight cell, or blastocyst, stage of development. The media of this invention will provide the embryos with a balance of ingredients that provide a consistent and stable composition of ingredients for the embryos whereby each embryo may select ingredients at their own pace or at various times as determined required by the embryos. This single media system provides a substantial improvement over current individual and sequential systems in supplying embryos consistent ingredients, consistent pH levels and osmolality through multiple stage of development so as to reduce the likelihood of osmonic shock, shock resulting from ingredient changes, or by changes in media pH. The embryo implantation stage using the media of this invention can be immediately subsequent to fertilation of the retrieved oocytes, or at the four cell embryo growth stage, or at the eight cell embryo growth, or blastocyst, stage of embryo development. Instead of implanting the fertilized embryos, they can be cryogenically preserved for later implantation.

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First Claim