NAD+ Precursor Culture Media for Embryo Development
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving mammalian embryo development, such as in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, face challenges in enhancing the presence of expanded blastocysts, attachment rates, and derivation of embryonic stem cells, particularly with unknown effects of NAD+ precursors and pathway substrates.
Innovation Solution
The use of culture media supplemented with NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors (e.g., NMN, NA) and NAD pathway substrates (e.g., lactate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate), to improve the cell state in mammalian embryos by increasing the presence of expanded blastocysts, attachment rates, and derivation of embryonic stem cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional culture media are used for embryo development, then basic embryo culture is maintained, but the presence of expanded blastocysts, attachment rates, and derivation of embryonic stem cells are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the culture media by incorporating NAD+ precursors (such as NMN, NA) and NAD pathway substrates (such as lactate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate) at specific concentrations. This parameter change enables enhanced blastocyst expansion, improved attachment rates, and increased embryonic stem cell derivation compared to conventional media, while the patent acknowledges the need for further research to fully understand the mechanisms and optimize parameters across different species and developmental stages.
2Stability of the object's composition
If NAD+ precursors are supplemented in culture media, then blastocyst expansion and embryo development are improved, but the mechanisms and optimal concentrations remain unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback principles by monitoring and evaluating the effects of NAD+ precursors and NAD pathway substrates on embryo development parameters such as blastocyst expansion, attachment rates, and stem cell derivation. This feedback information is used to optimize culture media compositions and establish guidelines for future research, while the patent explicitly states that further mechanistic studies are required to fully understand the biological pathways involved.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NAD+ precursors are used to improve embryo development, then developmental competence is enhanced, but the effects vary across different species and developmental stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explores the universal applicability of NAD+ precursors and NAD pathway substrates across different mammalian species and developmental stages. By demonstrating beneficial effects in various models (e.g., mice, pigs, cows), the patent suggests a potentially universal mechanism that could be applied across species. However, the patent also acknowledges the complexity of optimizing concentrations and formulations for each specific species and developmental stage, requiring customized approaches despite the shared biological pathway.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Supplementation with NAD+ precursors and pathway substrates enhances the development of mammalian embryos by increasing the presence of expanded blastocysts, improving attachment rates, and increasing the derivation of embryonic stem cells, thereby improving the overall cell state of the embryos.
Implementation Method 1
NAD+ synthesis is indispensable for mice oocyte and pig oocyte developmental competence as well as their pre-implantation development
Implementation Method 2
Understanding NAD+ production and consumption pathways is crucial for precise insights and therapies targeting age-related conditions
Implementation Method 3
NAD pathway substrates (e.g., lactate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate)
Implementation Method 4
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide has also been shown to induce a bivalent metabolism and maintain pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to culture media containing a nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD+) precursor and/or a NAD pathway substrate. This disclosure is also directed to in vitro methods of improving the cell state in an embryo by contacting a mammalian embryo with a culture medium supplemented with a NAD+ precursor and/or a NAD pathway substrate. The improvements to the cell state may include increasing the presence of an expanded blastocyst, increasing the attachment rate of the embryo, and/or increasing the derivation of embryonic stem cells from the embryo. In certain embodiments, the media and methods use a NAD+ precursor. A variety of different NAD+ precursors can be used in the media and methods, including nicotinic acid (NA) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN).