The effect of (-)epigallocatechin gallate on the development of Kunming mice early embryos

Objective To investigate the effect of(-)epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)on the development of Kunming(KM)mouse early embryos in vitro.Methods The KM 1-cell embryos were collected and cultured in M16 medium supplemented with EGCG(0.1,1,10,20μg/mL)or without EGCG(control).The number of KM 1-cell embryos developed to the 2-cell embryos,4-cell embryos,morula and blastocysts was counted under an inverted microscope.Results The M16 media containing EGCG had higher developmental rates from 2-cell embryos to 4-cell embryos,to morula and blastocysts than the control.Addition of 10μg/mL and 20μg/mL of EGCG significantly increased the developmental rates of morulae and blastocysts compared with the control(P0.01).Conclusion EGCG enhances the development of KM 1-cell embryos to morula and blastocysts.