Osmolality of Culture Media

Gametes and embryos are highly sensitive to changes in culture media osmolality. Any fluctuation in culture media osmolality may adversely stress the gametes and embryos and obstruct their growth and development. Therefore, it is vital to understand the influence and regulatory mechanisms of culture media osmolality and effectively maintain its stability for quality control of embryo culture in IVF laboratories. In this chapter, we will introduce the osmolality of culture fluid from the viewpoint of its fundamental principles, regulatory mechanisms, and quality control of relevant experimental operations.