Continuous Single Culture-NX Complete
Clinically proven, low lactate, single-step culture medium that helps maintain efficient metabolic rates by eliminating unnecessary stress.
Further Information
Continuous Single Culture-NX Complete (CSCM-NXC) is a clinically-proven, low lactate, single-step culture medium that helps improve blastocyst development. It is intended for use in assisted reproductive procedures which include human gamete and embryo manipulation. These procedures include the use of CSCM-NXC as a culture medium from fertilization through blastocyst stage, as well as embryo transfer. This medium is optimized to be used in an uninterrupted culture system, without dish change or medium renewal.
Pre-supplemented with human serum albumin (HSA) for a final total protein concentration of 5 mg/mL.
Available in 60mL and 2x20mL configurations
Unlock the Full Potential of CSCM-NXC with the Day 0 Workflow
Introducing oocytes into CSCM-NXC on Day 0 directly after identification, instead of waiting until after fertilization, maintains a consistent environment while eliminating dish changes and simplifying your workflow.
Day 0 with CSCM-NXC
Traditional Method
*Dish must be changed after conventional insemination. ICSI performed per established lab procedures with buffered media.
Better Results Start at Day 0
Studies show that when labs follow the Day 0 workflow with CSCM-NXC, they see significant improvements in embryo culture outcomes.
- Overall higher Day 5 and 6 blastocyst utilization rate (BUR), even when accounting for patient age1,2
- Increase BUR in patient population >38 years old3
- Higher euploidy rate than CSCM4
- Improvement in clinical pregnancy and reduction in miscarriage rates5
- Increase in higher expansion grade blastocysts6
- Improved trophectoderm and inner cell mass grades6
- Reduced embryo discards6
CSCM-NX/C vs. Competitors
† More usable blasts in traditional media on Day 6 due to higher BUR on Day 5 in low lactate media.
Results complied from clinical use data collected from 2020—2023
Check out our Day 0 webinar to learn how you can implement this protocol in your lab.
References:
- Benini F, Watson L, Dusini S, A Degl”Innocenti, Adversi F, Cammunci S, Di Biase L, F Bertini, Benvenuti M. A low-lactate undisturbed culture medium protocol provides an increase in usable blastocysts on day 5 vs. day 6. Human Reproduction. 2022;37(1). deac107.254
- Manzo R, Listorti I, Colasante A, Scarselli F, Greco P, Arrivi C, Watson L, Greco A, Varricchio M.T., Pirastu G, Musella M, Barberi M, Uva D, Pristera’ A, Greco E. A continuous culture medium with a lower concentration of lactate has a pronounced effect on the percentage of usable blastocysts on day 5. Human Reproduction. 2022;37(1). deac107.256
- Hammond E, Morbeck D. Reducing the stress of culture? Low lactate embryo culture medium increases usable blastocyst rate for women of advanced maternal age. Fertility and Sterility. 2020;114(3); e7-e7
- Whitney JB, Watson L, Maizar A, VerMilyea M. Positive effects of low-lactate culture medium on embryo development and blastocyst ploidy status: a 3.5-year multi-clinic retrospective review. Human Reproduction. 2022; 37 (1). deac107.217
- Kobanawa M. Fertilization, embryo culture, and clinical results using low lactate embryo culture medium for pre-culture, insemination, and beyond. Reprod Med Biol. 2022;21(1):e12458. doi:10.1002/rmb2.12458
- Moreno Moya JM, Mansell S, Alland I, Øverlie I, Sørdal T, Finset M. CSCM-NXC media containing a low lactate concentration seems to benefit expansion grade compared to traditional continuous media. Human Reproduction. 2022; 37(1), deac104.080
Storage: Store at 2-8°C
Shelf Life: 120 days from date of manufacture
| Size | SKU |
|---|---|
| 60mL | 90168-60mL |
| 2x20mL | 90168-2x20mL |
Brochures
Protocols
Scientific Posters
- A Low Lactate Undisturbed Culture Medium Protocol Provides an Increase in Usable Blastocysts on Day 5 vs. Day 6
- A Continuous Culture Medium with a Lower Concentration of Lactate has a Pronounced Effect on the Percentage of Usable Blastocysts on Day 5
- Resulting Success of Early Introduction to a Low Lactate Continuous Embryo Culture Medium Versus a Higher Lactate Sequential System
- Does a dry or humid incubation environment affect continuous and undisturbed media protocols?
Our complete media contain the concentration of protein indicated below; it is possible to add more protein if needed, as long as you consider that the following has already been added.
- Multipurpose Handling Media-Complete (MHM-C) with Gentamicin is pre-supplemented with HSA for a final protein concentration of 5 mg/mL.
- Continuous Single Culture-NX Complete (CSCM-NXC) is pre-supplemented with HSA for a final protein concentration of 5 mg/mL.
- Continuous Single Culture Complete (CSCM-C) with HSA is pre-supplemented with HSA for a final protein concentration of 5 mg/mL.
CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC are clinically-proven, low lactate; single-step culture media that help improve blastocyst development. CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC are designed for fertilization and embryo culture through day 5/6 of embryo development. These media are optimized to be used in an uninterrupted culture system, without dish change or medium renewal.
No, all Irvine Scientific fertilization and embryo culture media contain gentamicin as an antibiotic. All the Continuous Single Culture media (CSCM, CSCM-C, CSCM-NX, and CSCM-NXC) are formulated with 10 μg/mL gentamicin.
No, our expiration dates are based on our stability studies and we cannot guarantee product performance past the date of expiration. We recommend the customer to count back from the final day of culture and not use the product if the expiration date falls before the culture period is complete.
Yes, you can use your lab's protocol with all the Continuous Single Culture media (CSCM, CSCM-C, CSCM-NX, and CSCM-NXC); however, our data supports improved implantation and blastocyst utilization rates with an uninterrupted culture system which reduces embryo stress by eliminating the need for embryos to be exposed to varying media.
Protocols
- Uninterrupted Culture Media (CSCM-NX and CSCM) Recommended Protocol 4/5-Well Dish
- Uninterrupted Culture Media (CSCM-NX and CSCM) Recommended Protocol Microdrop
- Uninterrupted Culture Media Complete (CSCM-NXC and CSCM-C) Recommended Protocol 4/5-Well Dish
- Uninterrupted Culture Media Complete (CSCM-NXC and CSCM-C) Recommended Protocol Microdrop
Brochures
- From Gametes To Blastocysts
- The Best Possible Start - Continuous Single Culture-NX helps embryos minimize metabolic stress
When using Nexpring Health HSA, a 100 mg/mL protein solution, we recommend 5% v/v for a final concentration of 5 mg/mL. For example, to prepare 10 mL of medium, add 0.5 mL of HSA solution to 9.5 mL of the medium. When using Nexpring Health SSS, a 60 mg/mL protein solution, we recommend 10% v/v for a final concentration of 6 mg/mL. For example, to prepare 10 mL of medium, add 1.0 mL SSS to 9.0 mL of medium.
No, currently we do not use the MEGA assay as a final release test of Irvine Scientific culture media. The MEGA assay is currently only used for critical raw materials, such as Human Serum Albumin (HSA).
The working pH range for all the Continuous Single Culture media (CSCM, CSCM-C, CSCM-NX, and CSCM-NXC) is 7.25-7.40 with a targeted pH of 7.26-7.35.
Phenol red does not contribute to the performance of the culture medium and serves only as a visual indicator of pH (1). We recommend that CSCM, CSCM-C, CSCM-NX, and CSCM-NXC be equilibrated in a CO2 incubator with verified pH measurements prior to use. We will continue to offer CSCM and CSCM-C with phenol red.
References
- Berthois, Y., Katzenellenbogen, J. A., & Katzenellenbogen, B. S. (1986). Phenol red in tissue culture media is a weak estrogen: implications concerning the study of estrogen-responsive cells in culture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,83(8), 2496-2500. doi:10.1073/pnas.83.8.2496
- Guerif, F., Mckeegan, P., Leese, H. J., & Sturmey, R. G. (2013). A Simple Approach for COnsumption and RElease (CORE) Analysis of Metabolic Activity in Single Mammalian Embryos. PLoS ONE,8(8). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067834
- Zander-Fox, D. & Lane, M. The future of human embryo culture media – or have we reached the ceiling? in The Human Embryo (ed. Yamada, S. & Takakuwa, T.) 73-98 (Intech, 2012).
Like CSCM and CSCM-C, CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC are formulated using a bicarbonate buffering system that maintains a neutral system by balancing the presence of both a weak acid and its conjugate base. Moreover, phenol red is not a sensitive indicator of pH and does not participate in controlling the pH of the culture medium. Accordingly, pH is maintained in the recommended working range under the proper CO2 concentration.
No, all the Continuous Single Culture media (CSCM-NX, CSCM-NXC, CSCM, and CSCM-C) use the same recommended uninterrupted culture media protocol. Depending on a laboratory’s preference, a microdrop or well-based protocol can be used.
Protocols
- Uninterrupted Culture Media (CSCM-NX and CSCM) Recommended Protocol 4/5-Well Dish
- Uninterrupted Culture Media (CSCM-NX and CSCM) Recommended Protocol Microdrop
- Uninterrupted Culture Media Complete (CSCM-NXC and CSCM-C) Recommended Protocol 4/5-Well Dish
- Uninterrupted Culture Media Complete (CSCM-NXC and CSCM-C) Recommended Protocol Microdrop
The shelf life of CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC was reduced to four (4) weeks based on the maximum length of time product is used in a laboratory after opening under aseptic conditions.
The lactate concentration of CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC is 1 mM.
The reduction of lactate concentration in CSCM-NX and CSCM-NXC is a result of both MEA and BEA assays that support optimal blastocyst development in the presence of lower lactate concentrations. Lactate is a natural by-product of glucose metabolism produced by the embryo. Lowering the lactate concentration of CSCM-NX effectively reduces metabolic stress on the embryo and promotes efficient use of energy sources by the embryo (2,3).
References
- Berthois, Y., Katzenellenbogen, J. A., & Katzenellenbogen, B. S. (1986). Phenol red in tissue culture media is a weak estrogen: implications concerning the study of estrogen-responsive cells in culture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,83(8), 2496-2500. doi:10.1073/pnas.83.8.2496
- Guerif, F., Mckeegan, P., Leese, H. J., & Sturmey, R. G. (2013). A Simple Approach for COnsumption and RElease (CORE) Analysis of Metabolic Activity in Single Mammalian Embryos. PLoS ONE,8(8). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067834
- Zander-Fox, D. & Lane, M. The future of human embryo culture media – or have we reached the ceiling? in The Human Embryo (ed. Yamada, S. & Takakuwa, T.) 73-98 (Intech, 2012).
Protein supplements contain human source material which can develop particulate matter during storage. When using protein-supplemented media, it is not uncommon to have particles form over time as a result of multiple warming and cooling cycles during their shelf life. This type of particulate matter does not adversely affect the performance of the media or embryo development.
These are the recommended target pH ranges for media with protein during use in a CO2 incubator. Typically the addition of protein will lower the pH by 0.02–0.05 units, but it should be within the ranges indicated as follows at 37°C and in a CO2 incubator.
- Human Tubal Fluid (HTF): 7.20 - 7.30
- Continuous Single Culture Medium (CSCM): 7.26 – 7.35
- Continuous Single Culture-NX (CSCM-NX): 7.26 – 7.35
Protocols
CSCM and CSCM-NX contain both essential and non-essential amino acids.
No, as indicated in the product insert the storage recommendation is between 2°C to 8°C. The product is stable and ready to use until the date shown on the bottle when stored unopened within that temperature range. The media should not be exposed to extreme temperatures at any time and, if frozen, we recommend discontinuing the use of the product. Please refer to individual product inserts for recommended storage and stability information.
Yes, culture media is offered with protein (complete media) or without protein.
| Catalog # | Culture Medium | Protein Source | Protein Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90165 | Continuous Single Culture Complete | HSA | 5 mg/mL |
| 90166 | Multipurpose Handling Media-Complete (MHM-C) with Gentamicin | HSA | 5 mg/mL |
| 90168 | Continuous Single Culture-NX Complete | HSA | 5 mg/mL |
The addition of EDTA has been shown to enhance the rate of early cleavage in embryos in culture and also serves as an antioxidant to stabilize the media.
