Background : With respect to the importance of embryonic growth and development and controversies regarding the effects of TNF-α in this regard, the present study was conducted to determine the role of TNF-α on mouse morulae growth and development following adding TNF-α with dosages of 0.5, 5, and 50ng/ml.

Materials and Methods : The mouse morulae were obtained from superovulated NMRI mice following 78-80hours of hCG injection. They were distributed in 4 groups: control (without TNF-α), EXP-1 (TNF-α with the concentration of 0.5ng/ml), EXP-2 (TNF-α with the concentration of 5ng/ml), and EXP-3 (TNF-α with the concentration of 50ng/ml). Then, they were studied for 96 hours. Finally the role of TNF-α on different developmental phase was analyzed.

Results : Results have revealed that following 96 culturing, 72.5% of control embryos hatched or were hatching. This rate for the EXP-1-3 was 44.6, 58, and 28.7%, respectively. Each group has shown a significant difference with the control group. Degeneration rate of the EXP-3 was higher than others (33.3%).

Conclusion : Inclusion of TNF-α on culture medium of mouse morulae can reduce the developmental rate to hatching and hatched blastocytes . This result is more obvious when TNF-α is used with the concentration of 5ng/ml.