Effects of Malachite Green on the Development of Mouse Embryo In Vitro

ObjectiveTo observe effects of malachite green (MG) on the development of mouse embryo in vitro.MethodsTwo-cell mouse embryos were obtained and exposed to different concentrations of MG (0 ng/ml, group A, the control; 10 ng/ml, group B; 100 ng/ml, group C; 1 000 ng/ml, group D). The 2-cell mouse embryo assay was used to determine the 2-cell embryo development to the blastocyst. In addition, at the same concentrations of MG, the human sperm motility assay was used to evaluate the influence of MG on sperm viability.ResultsAt the 8-cell stage, groups C and D showed inhibitory effects when compared with the control (P<0.01). Rate of the blastocyst in groups C and D was lower than that of the control (P<0.01). In the sperm motility assay, significant changes in motility after 24 h of incubation in groups C and D were observed compared with the control (P<0.01). However, no differences were found on 24 h sperm motility between group B and the control (P>0.05).ConclusionMG would have deleterious effects on the development of mouse embryo, and the effects were dose-related. The sperm motility assay could also detect high levels of MG in culture medium.