Co-culture with adipose mesenchymal stem cells promotes Blastocyst formation and gene expression in embryos from aged mice

Recent studies have highlighted the positive effects of co-culturing embryos with stem cells on embryo development in various mammalian systems. Stem cells secrete numerous factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs, which promote embryo development. However, the impact of stem cells on the development of embryos derived from aged mice's oocytes remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the co-culture effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on zygotes, focusing on the developmental potential of fertilized embryos. Embryo quality was assessed through staining techniques to measure trophectoderm (TE), inner cell mass (ICM), and total blastocyst cell numbers during <i>in vitro</i> culture. Results demonstrated that ADMSC co-culture significantly improved zygote cleavage and blastocyst development rates, particularly in embryos derived from aged mice. Enhanced implantation and post-implantation potential were observed in embryos from both young and aged mice. Notably, co-culture increased TE, ICM, and total blastocyst cell numbers in aged mice-derived embryos without inducing apoptosis in blastocysts. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of <i>OCT4 and G6PDH,</i> associated with pluripotency and glucose metabolism, particularly in embryos from aged mice, while the heat stress marker HSP70 showed no significant changes. These findings demonstrate the potential of ADMSC co-culture as a beneficial protocol for improving embryo development. These findings from this study could offer an important basis for future mechanistic studies in this area.