Lipid content in pig blastocysts cultured in the presence or absence of protein and vitamin E or phenazine ethosulfate.

In the present study, total lipid content and content of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in pig blastocysts cultured in medium without protein, supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA), with fetal calf serum (FCS), vitamin E or phenazine ethosulfate (PES). In comparison to blastocysts cultured in NCSU-23 with BSA, we observed a decrease of the total lipid content in PES-treated embryos. Triglyceride content in FCS-, vitamin E- and PES-treated embryos as well as in blastocysts cultured without protein was 81.9%, 70.2%, 57.2% and 74.8% of that found in the blastocysts cultured in NCSU-23 with BSA, respectively. Nevertheless the content of phospholipids remained unchanged. This decrease of triglyceride content in the porcine blastocyst after in vitro culture may be explained by altered lipid metabolism in embryos.