Infertility treatment with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) involves several processes such as the production of zygote (fusion of sperm and oocyte), the culturing of embryos (from zygote to blastocyst stage), and embryo transfer to uterus. The development of culturing embryos from zygote to blastocyst stage is typically called "embryo preimplantation development". In human, it has been noted that from zygote to 8-cell stage of embryo development relies on the accumulation of proteins and mRNAs which the oocyte itself has got, and then continues to develop into the blastocyst stage after zygote genome activation (ZGA). Therefore, in vitro culture of embryos from zygote to blastocyst stage is relatively important for IVF treatment. The composition of culture media directly affects the development of embryos, and in turn, subsequently affects the outcome of the IVF treatment. Among them, lactate may play an important role in early cleavage of zygote during embryonic development cultured in vitro. In this review, we discussed the composition of developed media from zygote to blastocyst stage, dealing especially with the function of lactate in culture for embryonic development. Concurrently, we discussed commercially available materials for the lactate that are used in the making of culture media.

Infertility treatment with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) involves several processes such as the production of zygote (fusion of sperm and oocyte), the culturing of embryos (from zygote to blastocyst stage), and embryo transfer to uterus. The development of culturing embryos from zygote to blastocyst stage is typically called "embryo preimplantation development". In human, it has been noted that from zygote to 8-cell stage of embryo development relies on the accumulation of proteins and mRNAs which the oocyte itself has got, and then continues to develop into the blastocyst stage after zygote genome activation (ZGA). Therefore, in vitro culture of embryos from zygote to blastocyst stage is relatively important for IVF treatment. The composition of culture media directly affects the development of embryos, and in turn, subsequently affects the outcome of the IVF treatment. Among them, lactate may play an important role in early cleavage of zygote during embryonic development cultured in vitro. In this review, we discussed the composition of developed media from zygote to blastocyst stage, dealing especially with the function of lactate in culture for embryonic development. Concurrently, we discussed commercially available materials for the lactate that are used in the making of culture media.

Objective: To compare difference in stability between two fixation modes in application of three-dimensional (3D) printed coronoid process prosthesis. Methods: 3D coronoid process prosthesis was reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scanning acquired from volunteers with normal bony architecture of elbow. The prosthesis fixation was simulated using screws with diameter of 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm separately. Finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted at elbow flexion with different angles and the parameters including the maximum equivalent stress and the maximum displacement were evaluated. Results: Compared fixation using screw with the diameter of 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm, the maximum equivalent stress were 56.29 MPa and 39.96 MPa and the maximum displacement were 0.038 0 mm and 0.029 0 mm in 30° flexion of elbow; the maximum equivalent stress were 8.97 MPa and 8.12 MPa and the maximum displacement were 0.006 5 mm and 0.005 8 mm in 90° flexion of elbow; the maximum equivalent stress were 10.03 MPa and 9.32 MPa and the maximum displacement were 0.007 9 mm and 0.006 6 mm in 130° flexion of elbow. The maximum equivalent stress occurs at the junction of head and shaft with in both situations while the value from screw with diameter of 2.5 mm was lower. The displacement was smaller in the screw with diameter of 2.5 mm. Conclusion Compared to screws with the diameter of 2 mm, screw with the diameter of 2.5 mm shows superior stability in the fixation of 3D printed coronoid process prosthesis.