Journal of In Vitro Fertilization

Original Research Article Pages 4-9

Prostacyclin Activates Survivin Pathway to Enhance Embryo Development

Authors: BK Schniers, SD Prien, JB Estes, CE Wessels, LL Penrose and JC Huang

Abstract: Researchers previously demonstrated that inclusion of iloprost, a pharmaceutical grade prostacyclin (PGI2), in culture media improves embryo development and pregnancy rates. Cultured embryos undergo apoptosis and studies have shown protection against apoptosis, rather than cell growth promotion, was the likely cause of iloprost's enhancing effect on embryos. Researchers have also established that embryos produce survivin, an antiapoptotic protein, which appears to be vital to normal development.

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