Nutrient requirements of rat embryos undergoing organogenesis in vitro

Abstract

Rat embryos at the head-fold stage were cultured in rotating bottles for 2 days in rat serum extensively dialysed against glucose-free balanced salt solution, and to which various energy sources and nutrients were added. Optimum growth and differentiation, virtually identical with that obtained in whole serum and to that seen during the corresponding period in vivo, were obtained with the addition of glucose and certain vitamins: pantothenic acid and riboflavine had a general beneficial effect on development, i-inositol suppressed neural tube defects and folic acid significantly improved embryo growth.