Improved fertilization and embryo development resulting in birth of live piglets after intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro culture in a cysteine-supplemented medium.

Abstract The effects of cysteine treatment on fertilization rate, intracellular concentration of glutathione, and embryo development in vitro and after embryo transfer were examined following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of in vitro -matured porcine oocytes using a piezo drive unit. Culture of presumed zygotes after ICSI with 1.71–3.71 mM cysteine for 3–12 h improved ( P P