Mass spectrometry fingerprinting of media used for in vitro production of bovine embryos

Using the bovine species as a biological model, direct infusion chip‐based nano‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nano‐ESI‐MS) fingerprinting in the positive ion mode is used to obtain fast chemical profiles of media used for in vitro production of bovine embryos. Nano‐ESI‐MS fingerprinting is useful for characterization and routine quality control requiring no sample pre‐separation, being able to differentiate four different media (IVM, IVF, SOF and HSOF) via principal component analysis (PCA). For media stored at +4°C for up to 45 days, no significant (p > 0.05) variation was observed in cleavage and blastocyst rate development, as well as in the nano‐ESI‐MS chemical profiles. For media exposed to a heat shock (60°C for 3 h), no significant decrease (p > 0.05) in embryo development rates was observed, but nano‐ESI‐MS profiles were quite distant from fresh control media in the PCA. For frozen media (?70°C for 2 months), again no significant variation (p > 0.05) in embryo development was noticed, but nano‐ESI‐MS profiles from all media were significantly affected. These results indicate that nano‐ESI(+)‐MS fingerprinting was able to characterize different media based on their specific chemical profile. The technique seems therefore applicable as a routine quality control assay, detecting, for example, compositional changes after temperature variations that may affect post‐transfer embryo viability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.