Effect of embryonic fibroblast cell co-culture on development of mouse embryos following exposure to visible light

To determine the effects of visible light on development of mouse embryos and the potential of fibroblast cells to overcome deleterious effects of visible light on mouse preimplantation stage embryos. Two-cell mouse embryos were randomly allocated to un-exposed group (control) and exposed group receiving 1600 lx visible light for various time lengths. Both exposed and un-exposed embryos were co-cultured with either Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) or Human Embryonic Fibroblast (HEF). Developmental rate of embryos at day 3 (morula), 4 (expanded blastocyst) and 5 (hatching or hatched blastocyst) was evaluated. Exposure of embryos to visible light for 30 min decreased developmental rate significantly (P < 0.01). Developmental rate of exposed embryos co-cultured with MEF (58%; p < 0.05 both at day 4 and 5) and HEF (67%; P < 0.01 both at day 4 and 5) was higher than control. Visible light adversely affects embryo development in a time-dependent manner. Feeder cells may enhance embryo development particularly when suboptimal conditions are involved.