Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41615590›Full record

ReviewJournal of assisted reproduction and genetics2026

From mouse embryo assay to bovine embryo assay: towards an ethical and scientifically superior quality control standard in assisted reproduction technologies.

Pilar Coy

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Pilar CoyDepartment of Physiology, University of Murcia, International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain, 30100. pcoy@um.es.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The mouse embryo assay (MEA) is the standard test used in assisted reproduction to evaluate the toxicity and effectiveness of culture media and consumables. However, the assay has been criticised for its limited sensitivity, inconsistencies between laboratories, and ethical concerns. Despite the 3Rs principles, over 111 million mice and rats were used in the USA in 2017, with an unknown proportion of these being used in the MEA. While the FDA has provided MEA guidelines, its aim is to phase out animal toxicity testing within 3-5 years. This article explores the possibility of replacing the MEA with the bovine embryo assay (BEA), providing justifications based on ethics, science, practicality, and economics. Through a review of MEA applications, market data, regulatory frameworks and industry disclosures, the article estimates the current impact of the MEA. Incorporating the BEA into regulations could eliminate the need to breed mice for the MEA and greatly reduce the use of animals. Standardising and validating the BEA would provide a reliable and ethically preferable alternative that aligns with the growing demand from regulators and society for non-animal testing methods.

Indexed as

Embryo, MammalianEmbryonic DevelopmentReproductive Techniques, AssistedAnimalsCattleEmbryo Culture TechniquesFemaleMiceQuality ControlAnimal welfareAssisted reproductionBovine embryo assayEmbryotoxicityMouse embryo assayRegulatory standards

Identifiers

PMID41615590
PMCPMC13103173

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.