Initial culture behaviour of rat blastocysts on selected feeder cell lines

To increase our understanding of rat embryos in culture and to attempt the isolation of blastocyst-derived cell lines, we examined the initial growth behaviour of rat blastocysts from four strains of rat on four different feeder cell layers. The feeders used were a continuous cell line of murine embryonic fibroblasts (STO), primary mouse (MEF) or primary rat (REF) embryonic fibroblasts, and a continuous cell line of rat uterine epithelial cells (RUCs). A medium that gave optimum plating efficiencies for murine ES cells was used in the rat embryo culture. Each culture system allowed hatching and attachment of the blastocysts, that is, the behaviour was similar on each feeder and each strain for the first 2 days in culture. Subsequently, there was a rapid differentiation of the Inner Cell Mass (ICM) cells on fibroblastic feeder cell layers (STO > MEF > REF), and this was generally complete after 3-6 days in primary culture. On RUCs, the ICM was found to increase in size without differentiation up to and including day 4 and in some cases longer. Embryo-derived cells were obtained by disaggregating and passaging ICMs on REF and RUC feeders. Rounded, refractile, and epithelial-like cells were isolated on REF and colonies of ES-like cells on the RUCs. The ES-like cells were positive for expression of alkaline phosphatase and stage-specific embryonic-antigen 1. This is an important first step towards the derivation and culture of pluripotent ES cells from the rat.

A maternal genetic effect on the composition of mouse aggregation chimaeras

Two series of 12 1/2 day mouse chimaeric conceptuses were produced by aggregating (C57BL x CBA)F2 strain preimplantation embryos with embryos that differed at the Gpi-1s locus that encodes glucose phosphate isomerase, GPI-1. The composition of individual issues was evaluated by quantitative electrophoresis to estimate the % GPI-1A in the chimaeric tissue containing GPI-1A and GPI-1B. In one series of chimaeras, the GPI-1A cells were derived from a backcross between inbred BALB/c strain females and (BC x BALB/c)F1 males, where BC is the partly congenic strain C57BL/Ola.AKR-Gpi-lsa,c/Ws. In the other series of chimaeras, the GPI-1A cells were derived from the reciprocal backcross between (BC x BALB/c)F1 females and inbred BALB/c strain males. The [(BC x BALB/c)F1 female x BALB/c male]<==>(C57BL x CBA)F2 series of chimaeras was reasonably balanced so that GPI-1A and GPI-1B cells were fairly equally represented in the foetuses, placentas and extraembryonic membranes (tissue means: 37-51% GPI-1A). This series did not differ significantly in composition from an earlier series of (BC x BALB/c)F2<==>(C57BL x CBA)F2 chimaeras. However, the [BALB/c female x (BC x BALB/c)F1 male]<==>(C57BL x CBA)F2 series of chimaeras was unbalanced, with mean tissue compositions (28-33% GPI-1A) that were intermediate between the above two balanced series and the unbalanced (BALB/c x BALB/c)<==>(C57BL x CBA)F2 series (tissue means: 14-22% GPI-1A), that was studied previously. Thus, both (BALB/c x BALB/c) and [BALB/c x (BC x BALB/c)F1] embryos contributed less to the tissues of chimaeric conceptuses than either (BC x BALB/c)F2 or [BC x BALB/c)F1 x BALB/c] embryos. This implies that embryos from BALB/c mothers contributed less to the tissues of chimaeric conceptuses than embryos from (BC x BALB/c)F1 mothers. We, therefore, conclude that a maternal genetic effect is responsible for some of the differences in composition among the four groups of chimaeras. This maternal effect must act before the 8-cell stage but it is not yet known whether it is mediated via cytoplasmic inheritance, genomic imprinting or by the reproductive tract. Evidence that a maternal effect retards preimplantation development of embryos from BALB/c females is reviewed and the possibility that this might cause them to contribute poorly to chimaeric conceptuses when aggregated with more precociously developing embryos is discussed.

Immunocytochemical localization of cytochromes P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase and aromatase in embryonic cell layers of elongating porcine blastocysts

Localized expression of cytochromes P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase (P450c17) and aromatase (P450arom) was investigated in embryonic cell layers of elongating porcine blastocysts by immunocytochemistry. Blastocysts were flushed from the uterus on day 12 of pregnancy, fixed in paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained using immunogold- and peroxidase-based techniques. Staining for both P450c17 and P450arom was intense in spherical 7- to 10-mm blastocysts, but was absent in earlier stage 2- to 4-mm blastocysts and less intense or absent in later stage 20-mm and filamentous embryos. Cytochrome P450c17 was limited to the trophoblast of all blastocysts expressing the enzyme, and in spherical 7- to 10-mm blastocysts, essentially all cells of the trophoblast layer stained positively for P450c17. However, as elongation became apparent in 10-mm blastocysts, the cells of the trophoblast became flattened, and the expression of P450c17 declined particularly in those trophoblast cells adjacent to the embryonic disc where mesoderm outgrowth was occurring. In fact, two distinct populations of trophoblast cells became obvious: one that maintained P450c17 expression, and one that did not. Moreover, those trophoblast cells expressing P450c17 were less flattened than neighboring cells in which P450c17 expression was absent. These two morphologically and functionally distinct trophoblastic cell populations were most obvious in areas furthest from the embryonic disc. Cytochrome P450arom was expressed in the trophoblast as well as the hypoblast under the embryonic disc. Neither P450c17 nor P450arom appeared to be expressed in the embryonic disc or the mesoderm of the expanding blastocyst. These functional and structural changes in the embryonic cell layers of the elongating conceptus may be associated with the transient synthesis and secretion of estrogen that occur at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in the pig.

Immunocytochemical localization of cytochromes P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase and aromatase in embryonic cell layers of elongating porcine blastocysts

Localized expression of cytochromes P450 17 alpha-hydroxylase (P450c17) and aromatase (P450arom) was investigated in embryonic cell layers of elongating porcine blastocysts by immunocytochemistry. Blastocysts were flushed from the uterus on day 12 of pregnancy, fixed in paraformaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained using immunogold- and peroxidase-based techniques. Staining for both P450c17 and P450arom was intense in spherical 7- to 10-mm blastocysts, but was absent in earlier stage 2- to 4-mm blastocysts and less intense or absent in later stage 20-mm and filamentous embryos. Cytochrome P450c17 was limited to the trophoblast of all blastocysts expressing the enzyme, and in spherical 7- to 10-mm blastocysts, essentially all cells of the trophoblast layer stained positively for P450c17. However, as elongation became apparent in 10-mm blastocysts, the cells of the trophoblast became flattened, and the expression of P450c17 declined particularly in those trophoblast cells adjacent to the embryonic disc where mesoderm outgrowth was occurring. In fact, two distinct populations of trophoblast cells became obvious: one that maintained P450c17 expression, and one that did not. Moreover, those trophoblast cells expressing P450c17 were less flattened than neighboring cells in which P450c17 expression was absent. These two morphologically and functionally distinct trophoblastic cell populations were most obvious in areas furthest from the embryonic disc. Cytochrome P450arom was expressed in the trophoblast as well as the hypoblast under the embryonic disc. Neither P450c17 nor P450arom appeared to be expressed in the embryonic disc or the mesoderm of the expanding blastocyst. These functional and structural changes in the embryonic cell layers of the elongating conceptus may be associated with the transient synthesis and secretion of estrogen that occur at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in the pig.

Analysis of thymidine kinase gene expression in preimplantation mouse embryos

Thymidine kinase (TK) activity was examined during the development of preimplantation mouse embryos. TK activity was increased approximately 20-fold from day 2 embryos (2-cell) to day 5 embryos (late blastocyst). TK activity did not change along with the progression into S-phase of the first and the second cell cycles but increased sharply at S-phase of the third cell cycle. Analysis of TK mRNA with a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method showed that the level of TK mRNA was low in ovulated eggs and 1-cell embryos and was hardly detectable in day 2 embryos (2-cell), but sharply increased in day 3 embryos (mixture of 5- to 8-cell and morula). The functional role of 5'-flanking sequence of TK gene was also investigated in preimplantation embryos after microinjection with the DNA construct of 5'-flanking sequence of TK (2.4 kb) linked to bacterial lacZ gene (TK2.5lacZ) into the pronucleus of 1-cell and subsequently by histochemical staining with X-gal. beta-Galactosidase activity was first detected in day 3 embryos (8-cell), and 30% of embryos were stained with X-gal in day 4 and day 5 embryos, respectively. These results show that an increase in TK activity occurred after 2-cell stage, and this increase was primarily due to the embryonic activation of TK gene expression. Also, it appears that the 5'-flanking sequence of TK may directly regulate the TK gene expression at the transcriptional level during preimplantation murine development.

[The effect of the duration of culturing on the pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro and in vivo]

A comparative analysis of two clones of mouse embryonic stem cells (ES-D3) that underwent different number of passages was performed to determine their potencies for in vitro and in vivo development. Cells of both clones had similar morphology characteristic of undifferentiated ES cells and were capable of forming embryoid bodies in the suspension cultures. Specific alkaline phosphatase activity of ES cells was revealed by cytochemical staining. Karyotyping showed that the proportion of aneuploid ES cells increases with an increase in the number of passages. The results of experiments on chimera production using ES cells showed that the clone D3W (passage 17) is superior to the clone D3M (passage 42) in terms of both the proportion of chimeras produced and the degree of coat color chimerism in them.

Detection and preliminary characterization of two enzymes involved in biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor in mouse oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos: dithiothreitol-insensitive cytidinediphosphocholine: 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase and acetyl-coenzyme A:1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyltransferase

The aim of this study was to determine whether the final enzymes in the two biosynthetic pathways for platelet-activating factor (PAF) (the 'de novo' and the 'membrane remodelling' pathways) are present in mouse embryos, zygotes and oocytes. The enzymes are dithiothreitol-insensitive cytidinediphosphocholine: 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase (cholinephosphotransferase) in the de novo pathway and acetyl-coenzyme A:1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyltransferase (acetyltransferase) in the membrane remodelling pathway. Activity of both enzymes was detected in the unfertilized oocyte, the zygote and also in the preimplantation embryo (48, 72 and 96 h after the ovulatory injection of hCG). In both cases the activity was destroyed by boiling and increased linearly with incubation time and the concentration of embryo homogenate present, indicating that the reactions were catalysed by enzymes. The product of the reactions was confirmed as PAF using HPLC and structural analyses by enzymatic digestion. Cholinephosphotransferase required Mg2+ and was inhibited by Ca2+, while acetyltransferase required the presence of NaF (a phosphatase inhibitor). The activity of cholinephosphotransferase was similar in unfertilized oocytes and zygotes, and did not change significantly with advancing developmental stage in preimplantation embryos. Acetyltransferase had a significantly lower specific activity (0.078 +/- 0.044 fmol PAF per oocyte per min, mean +/- SEM) in unfertilized oocytes than in zygotes of corresponding age (0.358 +/- 0.097 fmol PAF per zygote per min) (P < 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzymes of purine salvage and catabolism in the mouse preimplantation embryo measured by high performance liquid chromatography

The activities of five enzymes involved in purine salvage and catabolism--hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT), adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and guanase--were measured in mouse embryo extracts, from the one-cell to the blastocyst stage. Xanthine oxidase activity was not detected. The analyses were performed using high performance liquid chromatography and the enzymes showed different patterns of activity during development. Activities of HPRT, APRT and PNP were low before morula formation, and then increased until the blastocyst stage. ADA and guanase showed high activities after fertilization; guanase activity decreased sharply after the two-cell stage and ADA activity decreased sharply after the morula stage. Blastocyst formation was accompanied by a further decline in activity of both enzymes. The methods used may be suitable for measuring these enzymes in single human embryos, or in biopsies derived from them.

Developmental cell-specific regulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and alpha 3-isoform gene expression

Na(+)-K(+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) is the integral membrane protein that maintains the Na(+)-K(+) electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane. Because of the importance of the Na(+)-K(+) electrochemical gradient to fundamental and specialized cell functions, we investigated the cell-specific modulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit isoform (alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3) gene expression in different stages of postimplantation mouse embryos and neonatal rat tissues by in situ hybridization with use of isoform-specific rat-derived antisense RNA probes. At early organogenesis (9.5-10.5 days postcoitus), we demonstrated generalized coexpression of alpha 1- and alpha 2-isoforms throughout the mouse embryo with greater levels in the developing but already functional heart, in contrast to the distinct spatially restricted alpha 3-isoform gene expression in the early developing neural tube. At midorganogenesis (15.5-16.5 days postcoitus), differential spatial variation in alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and alpha 3-isoform gene expression was already evident in all organs. Interestingly, region-specific expression patterns within single cell types were noted throughout development and were exemplified by 1) alpha 3-isoform gene expression in marginal cells of the 10.5-day-postcoitus developing neural tube; 2) alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and alpha 3-isoform gene expression in cerebellar granular cells of the 4-day-old rat brain; and 3) alpha 1- and alpha 3-isoform gene expression in 4-day-old rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. These isoform-specific changes in cellular and regional Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha-isoform gene expression may play an active role in development and specialized cell functions.

Expression of plasminogen activator genes and enzymatic activities in rat preimplantation embryos

Plasminogen activator has been implicated in tissue invasion and remodelling because of its role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Its activity can be detected in mouse embryos as early as day 6 of pregnancy, suggesting that plasminogen activator is involved in the process of implantation. The present study determined the time course of expression of the genes encoding tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) during the preimplantation period in rats by the sensitive mRNA phenotyping procedure of reverse transcription-PCR. The tPA mRNA was present in rat oocytes and two-cell embryos, but was not detected between the four-cell and blastocyst stages. The uPA mRNA was first detected in two-cell rat embryos, and was present through to the blastocyst stage. In chromogenic assays, plasminogen activator activity was detected in oocytes and embryos between two-cell and blastocyst stages. Most plasminogen activator activity present in preimplantation embryos appeared to be uPA, as it could be inhibited by anti-uPA antibody and a specific uPA inhibitor, amiloride, but not by anti-tPA antibody. The present data demonstrate the expression of uPA gene and uPA activity in preimplantation rat embryos, suggesting that embryonic uPA may be involved in early embryo development and implantation.

The role of exogenous energy substrates in blastocoele fluid accumulation in the rat

Preimplantation mammalian development culminates in the formation of a fluid-filled cavity, the blastocoele, which is a prerequisite for successful implantation and further development. The blastocoele is enclosed by a single layer of polarised cells, the trophectoderm, which is the first epithelium formed in development. In embryos of the mouse and the rabbit, a basolaterally located Na+/K(+)-ATPase hydrolyses ATP to drive the vectorial transport of ions, which is responsible for the accumulation of blastocoele fluid. Using non-invasive assays of energy substrate consumption and blastocoele fluid accumulation, experiments were carried out on single preimplantation rat embryos, to establish: (1) the roles of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase and exogenous energy substrates, and (2) the relationship between the consumption and metabolism of energy substrates and fluid accumulation, during blastocoele cavity formation in this species. Ouabain 0.5 mM and energy-substrate-free medium both caused an inhibition in the number of embryos forming a blastocoele in culture, and also reduced the rate of fluid accumulation by day 5 blastocysts collapsed in cytochalasin-D and allowed to re-expand. Ouabain also reduced the consumption of glucose (but not pyruvate) and the production of lactate by re-expanding blastocysts. In the absence of the inhibitor, a direct relationship was seen between fluid accumulation and both glucose (but not pyruvate) consumption and lactate production. However, ouabain had no effect on intact, expanded blastocysts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transient expression of the cytochrome P450 aromatase gene in elongating porcine blastocysts is correlated with uterine insulin-like growth factor levels during peri-implantation development

The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs-I and -II) are mediators of cellular growth and differentiation. The expression of these growth factor genes is temporally and hormonally regulated in the uterus during pregnancy, suggesting potentially important roles in embryonic development, implantation, and successful progression of pregnancy. A known regulator of uterine IGF-I secretion is estrogen, which is produced by pre-implantation mammalian embryos of several species and whose amounts may be influenced by growth factors via their effects on the transcriptional activities of steroidogenic enzyme genes. We have previously proposed that within the uterine microenvironment, a positive feedback loop may link uterine secretion of IGFs with embryonic production of estrogens to maintain and coordinate the timing of biological signals essential for embryo development. The present study examined the temporal relationships between the levels of conceptus cytochrome P450 aromatase mRNA and protein and concentrations of IGF-I and -II in uterine luminal fluids of pigs. A DNA fragment encoding a highly conserved region among mammalian aromatase P450 proteins was isolated by hybridization screening of a porcine genomic DNA library with a human aromatase P450 cDNA fragment as probe. A synthetic oligopeptide DDVIDGYPVKKGTNI within this highly conserved region was used to generate an antiserum in sheep that recognized a protein of M(r) 49,000 in Western blot analysis of porcine ovarian, placental, endometrial, and conceptus extracts. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for aromatase P450 was established and validated using this antiserum. RIA demonstrated highest levels of aromatase P450 protein in extracts of days 10, 11, and 12 porcine conceptuses with significantly diminished levels in elongated conceptuses at days 15 and 18. In the conceptus, aromatase P450 was localized to the inner cell layer (hypoblast) of the trophectoderm. A major mRNA transcript of approximately 3 kb in length was demonstrated by Northern blot analysis of conceptus RNA with a porcine aromatase P450 antisense RNA probe. The relative levels of aromatase P450 mRNA were higher in conceptuses at day 12 than at days 15 and 18, in parallel with the levels of aromatase P450 protein. RIA of uterine luminal fluids demonstrated maximal concentrations of IGF-I at day 12, which were significantly decreased by day 15, and increased concentrations of IGF-II by day 12, which were maintained until day 18 of pregnancy. These results demonstrate that the transient expression of conceptus aromatase P450 mRNA and protein in elongating pig blastocysts is coincident with their capacity to secrete estrogens and with the rapidly changing concentrations of IGFs within the uterine microenvironment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alkaline phosphatase staining of pig and sheep epiblast cells in culture

To define better the characteristics of pig and sheep epiblast cells in culture, the cells were tested for the presence of alkaline phosphatase (AP), a biochemical marker characteristic of mouse embryonic stem cells. Pig and sheep epiblast cells were positive for AP staining both at isolation from the blastocyst and after primary in vitro culture. The innermost portion of the attendant endoderm surrounding the epiblast was also positive for AP staining during primary culture. AP staining was lost upon differentiation or senescence of the epiblast cells. Also, all differentiated epiblast-derived cell cultures were negative for AP staining, with the exception of neuron-like cultures. Epiblast-like cells were cultured from day 10 (pig) and day 13 (sheep) embryonic discs, and these cells were also AP positive until they differentiated. Trophectoderm-endoderm-like cells from embryonic discs were AP negative or weakly positive. AP is a convenient marker for undifferentiated pig and sheep epiblast cells in culture when used in conjunction with cell morphology analysis.

Activity of enzymes of energy metabolism in single human preimplantation embryos

A method was developed to measure the activities of enzymes in extracts from single human preimplantation embryos. The method permits the analysis of two enzymes plus appropriate controls in an extract from a single embryo, and was used to investigate the control of energy metabolism during the development of human embryos from the two-cell to the blastocyst stage. Hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK), pyruvate kinase (PK), fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase (ALD), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (ODH) were all detectable, whereas glycogen phosphorylase (GP) was not. The enzyme activities of ODH, PFK, LDH, PK, GPI and G6PDH, averaged over all stages of development from the two-cell to blastocyst stage (days 2-6 after insemination), were 3.5, 6.6, 15, 69, 73 and 87 times greater than HK, respectively. The activity of ALD was very similar to that of HK. The activities of ALD, GPI, PFK, PK and LDH showed no significant variation with stage of development, although the activity of GPI fell significantly from the four-eight cell to the eight-sixteen cell stage (P < 0.05). HK activity decreased from the two-eight cell to the eight-sixteen cell (P < 0.05), and increased significantly from the eight-sixteen cell to the blastocyst stage (P < 0.01). The overall relationship between hexokinase activity and stage approached significance (P = 0.059, one-way analysis of variance). The activity of G6PDH decreased significantly with development (P < 0.001, one way analysis of variance).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differences in the effects of treatment of uncompacted and compacted mouse embryos with phorbol esters on pre- and postimplantation development

Differences are described in the effects of treatment of preimplantation mouse embryos with low levels (0.01-1 nM) of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), during three different periods of a 48-h culture from the 2-cell stage, on pre- and postimplantation development. Treatment of embryos with PMA for 48 h (first group) or 24 h (second group) from the 2-cell stage caused premature cavitation (prior to the 16-cell stage) and it also reduced the size and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity of inner cell masses (ICMs), as well as the numbers of cells in blastocysts, in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of early morulae with PMA for 24 h (third group) did not have the above mentioned effects on embryos but inhibited the formation and subsequent enlargement of the blastocoel. The blastocysts that were allowed to develop in the three treatment groups were examined for postimplantation development. Implantation was unaffected in all groups. The survival rate after implantation was low in the first and second groups but relatively high in the third group. The results indicate that an embryo exposed to PMA for 24 h from the 2-cell stage forms a premature blastocoel, and, in such an embryo, quantitative and qualitative differentiation into the ICM is blocked but qualitative differentiation into trophectoderm is uninhibited. Consequently, the embryo can implant but does not survive for a long time. When embryos were exposed to PMA for 24 h from the early morula stage, the formation and enlargement of the blastocoel were inhibited even though the treatment had a minimal effect on other developmental events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase: full-length pig blastocyst cDNA sequence and regulation by selenium status

We have isolated and sequenced an apparent full-length cDNA clone for phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (Genbank accession number L12743) from a pig blastocyst cDNA library. The sequence encodes a polypeptide of 170 amino acids, including a TGA-encoded selenocysteine at residue 46, with a calculated M(r) of 19,492 Da. Use of this clone in Northern blot analysis of Se-deficient rat liver revealed that phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels were little affected by Se deficiency, whereas classical glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels were decreased by 90% in the same samples. Lastly, liver phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA levels were not elevated in female rats, in contrast to classical glutathione peroxidase.

In situ glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity during development of pre-implantation mouse embryos

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was analysed cytophotometrically in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos of mice. A bimodal distribution pattern was not found. Therefore, female and male embryos could not be discriminated on the basis of linkage of the enzyme with the X-chromosome during the pre-implantation period. The dehydrogenase activity in ovulated eggs and pre-implantation embryos up to the 8-cell stage was 65% of that present in follicular oocytes. In morulae and blastulae, the activity was further decreased to a level that was only 10-20% of the activity present in oocytes. The dramatic decrease in dehydrogenase activity could not be explained by modulation of the enzyme molecules, because KM values did not vary strongly. It is unlikely that the abundant activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in oocytes is due to high activity of the pentose phosphate pathway because of the low activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, the next step in this pathway. It is concluded that high activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in oocytes is needed for keeping oocytes viable, and for generation of NADPH which is important for the fertilization process.

Polymerase chain reaction for the detection of methylation of a specific CpG site in the G6pd gene of mouse embryos

This chapter describes the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of methylation changes at specific CpG sites in DNA isolated from minute quantities of biological material, such as single preimplantation mouse embryos or small numbers of stem cells, or germ cells. We have concentrated on refining these techniques to monitor specific sites in X-linked genes for methylation changes associated with X-chromosome inactivation. The general principles of the HpaII-sensitive PCR assay described here should be applicable and adaptable to specific CpG sites in other genes of interest.

Antisense inhibition of nuclear-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunits IV and VIIc activity in the pre-implantation embryo

It had not previously been known whether synthesis of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial subunits occurs in pre-implantation embryos. We have used cytoplasmic injections of antisense RNA transcribed in vitro to study this question. Capped, in vitro transcribed RNA antisense to either cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV or VIIc injected into each cell at the two-cell stage markedly inhibited synthesis of adenine nucleotide by the 8- to 16-cell stage, whereas injection of the cognate sense RNAs gave levels similar to those previously published for normal embryos. These results strongly suggest that translation of nuclear-encoded mRNAs for mitochondrial subunits is required during pre-implantation development. It was of additional interest that, not only was ATP decreased, but ADP and AMP as well, with the effect that the charge ratio remained constant. The results also suggest, therefore, that the mechanism by which cells normally regulate their charge ratio, though to be with adenylate deaminase, is already in place.

Chemiluminescent detection of alkaline phosphatase in PhastGel

A chemiluminescent assay has been applied to the detection of alkaline phosphatase on PhastGel containing lysates of preimplantation mouse embryos. The very sensitive detection capabilities reported for the chemiluminescent system led to the investigation of its applicability to the characterization of the alkaline phosphatases in one embryo or less and to compare the sensitivity of two different commercial alkaline phosphatase chemiluminescent assays to a colorimetric assay.

Properties and localization of DNA methyltransferase in preimplantation mouse embryos: implications for genomic imprinting

Preimplantation mouse embryos contain very high levels of DNA methyltransferase activity. We show here that the form of DNA methyltransferase (DNA MTase) in early embryos differs from the form found in other cells and tissues by a slightly higher mobility on gel electrophoresis. Levels of DNA MTase were found to be very high throughout preimplantation development even though levels of 5-methylcytosine (m5C) in nuclear DNA are known to undergo a substantial decline in the same period. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of mouse embryos stained with DNA MTase-specific antibodies showed striking developmentally regulated changes in the distribution of DNA MTase. From the oocyte stage to the four-cell-stage, most DNA MTase was concentrated in peripheral cytoplasm, and nuclei did not contain detectable DNA MTase. In four- and eight-cell embryos, DNA MTase was seen in cytoplasmic granules; and in eight-cell embryos, DNA MTase was also present in large amounts in nuclei. Nuclei of blastocysts stained only faintly, whereas the cytoplasmic granules remained prominent. Paradoxically, DNA MTase was found to be at its highest levels in nuclei at a developmental stage where levels of m5C in DNA are decreasing most rapidly. Changes in methylation patterns in preimplantation embryos are therefore proposed to be under the control of unidentified regulatory factors rather than DNA MTase itself; these regulatory factors could be members of the group that contains the products of the Ssm-1 and Imp-1 genes, which are involved in the regulation of genomic imprinting.

Molecular cloning of a family of protein kinase genes expressed in the avian embryo

We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to clone kinase-related sequences from avian blastula, neural crest and neural tube mRNA. Twenty-three distinct protein kinase (PK) sequences were amplified, of which eight are identical to previously described PK genes. The cloned molecules fall into three classes: growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), cytosolic tyrosine kinases and serine/threonine kinases. Among the cloned RTKs were the insulin-like growth factor type I receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha, the CEK1 fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor as well as the avian homolog of a recently cloned PCR fragment related to the eph/elk/eck family, tyro-5. Furthermore, we cloned a novel FGF receptor-like molecule as well as two novel putative RTKs related to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor. The pattern of expression of the PCR clones was examined by Northern blot analysis of adult tissues: each molecule recognized one or more transcripts of various sizes, suggesting that PK genes may play regulatory roles both in early development and in adult regulation of tissue function. Together with recent studies, this survey confirms the hypothesis that PKs may play important roles in early vertebrate development.

Beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity in human oocytes and preimplantation embryos

beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase is a lysosomal enzyme, which has two isoenzymes: beta-Hex A, a trimer consisting of one alpha-chain and two beta-chains (alpha beta 2) and beta-Hex B, a tetramer formed of four beta-chains (beta 2 beta 2). Genetic defects in the alpha-chain lead to Tay-Sachs disease, whereas mutations in the beta-chain gene lead to Sandhoff disease. In a previous study we developed a microassay for total beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase and used this for measuring activities in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos. In this study, to assess the feasibility of transferring this technique to the human for the purposes of preimplantation diagnosis for Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease, beta-Hex activity was assayed in human oocytes and embryos and in the medium in which they had been cultured. We showed that although the activity of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase in human oocytes and embryos was > 500 times higher than in the mouse, it was not detectable in the culture medium and the activity in oocytes and embryos remained virtually constant throughout human preimplantation development, making it difficult to distinguish embryonic from maternal enzyme activity. In the absence of this distinction it would be inappropriate to use beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity for the purposes of preimplantation diagnosis of Sandhoff or Tay-Sachs disease. These experiments demonstrate that measuring the beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity in human embryos cannot be used at present for preimplantation diagnosis.

Biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor by two-cell mouse embryos

Incubation of two-cell mouse embryos with a range of radiolabelled compounds resulted in the incorporation of label into platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) in the culture media. The demonstration that known precursors ([1-14C]hexadecanol, [1-3H]hexadecanol, 1-O-[alkyl-1'2'-3H]lyso-PAF, 1-O-[alkyl-1'2'-3H]acetyl-glycerol and [methyl-3H]choline chloride) were incorporated into PAF showed that embryo-derived PAF biosynthesis occurred via pathways present in other PAF-producing cells. The enzyme responsible for the formation of the ether linkage of the PAF molecule, alkyl-dihydroxyacetone-phosphate synthase, was present in the preimplantation embryo as [1-3H]hexadecanol was incorporated into PAF. Incorporation of label from alkylacetyl-glycerol and choline chloride into lyso-PAF was also observed, suggesting a role for lyso-PAF in the metabolism of embryo-derived PAF. Incubation of embryos with each of three [14C]carbohydrate energy substrates resulted in the incorporation of label into PAF in culture media, indicating that the composition of embryo culture media is important in the synthesis of PAF precursors. Incorporation of label from [2-14C]pyruvate was greatest and is consistent with the suggestion that pyruvate is the major energy source at the two-cell stage of development. L-[U-14C]Lactate was also incorporated into embryo-derived PAF, but the mean amount incorporated relative to the concentration of labelled substrate in the medium was 40 times less. The incorporation of D-[U-14C]glucose into PAF was 2405 times less than that from pyruvate, relative to the concentration in the medium.

Changes in cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and cAMP concentration during mouse preimplantation development

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and cAMP amounts were measured in mouse preimplantation embryos at the 1-cell, 2-cell, 8-cell/morula, and mid-blastocyst stages. PDE activity remained constant between the 1-cell and 2-cell stages. It decreased by the 8-cell stage and continued to decrease by the mid blastocyst stage to about 14% of the 1- and 2-cell values. By contrast, cAMP amounts remained essentially constant at 0.05 fmole/embryo (0.3 microM) from the 1-cell to the blastocyst stage and increased to 0.175 fmole in the fully expanded blastocyst that was close to hatching. Measurements of embryo volume indicated that intracellular volume remained essentially constant up to the blastocyst stage. The morphological changes in cell shape that accompany differentiation of the trophectoderm and that are coupled with blastocoel expansion decreased the intracellular volume. This decrease resulted in an increase in the cAMP concentration to about 0.4 microM by the mid-blastocyst stage. Previous studies indicate that either cAMP or TGF-alpha/EGF can stimulate the rate of blastocoel expansion. Although TGF-alpha/EGF can elevate cAMP levels in other cell types, TGF-alpha, at a concentration that maximally stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion, did not elevate cAMP in blastocysts. Thus, it was unlikely that elevation of cAMP is the mechanism by which TGF-alpha stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion.