NOTCH signaling pathway is required for bovine early embryonic development†

Role of the Notch signaling pathway in porcine oocyte maturation

BACKGROUND

Although the Notch signaling pathway is known to play an important role in ovarian follicle development in mammals, whether it is involved in oocyte maturation remains unclear. Therefore, this study was performed to elucidate the existence and role of the Notch signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in a porcine model.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical assays were used to determine the existence of Notch signaling pathway-related transcripts and proteins in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). In vitro maturation (IVM) and parthenogenetic activation of oocytes were employed to examine the effects of Notch signaling inhibition on meiotic progression and embryogenesis of COCs using RO4929097 (RO), an inhibitor of γ secretase. Various staining methods (TUNEL, Phalloidin-TRITC, MitoTracker, JC-1, BODIPY FL ATP, ER-Tracker, Fluo-3, and Rhod-2) and immunocytochemical and quantitative PCR assays were used to identify the effects of Notch signaling inhibition on meiotic progression, embryogenesis, cell cycle progression, spindle assembly, chromosome alignment, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum distribution, and downstream pathway targets in COCs.

RESULTS

The RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses revealed the presence of Notch signaling-related receptors (NOTCH1-4) and ligands (JAG1 and 2 and DLL1, 3, and 4) at 0, 22, 28, and 44 h of IVM in the COCs. RO treatment during oocyte maturation markedly reduced meiotic maturation and embryogenesis, inhibiting the cell cycle progression, spindle assembly, and chromosome alignment processes that are important for meiotic maturation. Furthermore, RO significantly impaired the cellular distribution and functions of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula, which are important organelles for the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes. Finally, the involvement of canonical Notch signaling in oocyte maturation was confirmed by the decreased expression of HES and HEY family transcripts and proteins in the RO-treated COCs.

CONCLUSIONS

It was first demonstrated that Notch signaling pathway-related transcripts and proteins were expressed during the meiotic maturation of porcine COCs. Furthermore, the inhibition of Notch signaling during IVM revealed the essential role of this signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in pigs.

Extracellular vesicles-derived MicroRNA-145-5p is upregulated in the uterine fluid of women with endometriosis and impedes mouse and human blastocyst development

Previous work indicated that the implantation and pregnancy rates of women with endometriosis are lower than those of healthy women during in-vitro fertilisation and embryonic transfer. And there are numerous microRNAs (miRNAs) in human uterine luminal fluid (ULF), some of which are associated with early preimplantation development of embryos. In our study, we sought to determine whether miRNAs in the ULF are differentially expressed between women with and without endometriosis and to uncover the association of miRNAs with the development potential of blastocysts. The implantation and clinical pregnancy rates significantly decreased in women with endometriosis than in those without endometriosis. Notably, hsa-miR-145-5p was upregulated in ULF samples from women with endometriosis (fold change > 2, false discovery rate < 0.001). Moreover, the ratios of mouse/human early embryos that developed into blastocyst-staged embryos (P = 0.0065 and P = 0.0098, respectively) were significantly affected via miR-145-5p upregulation in mouse/human early embryos. Notch signalling pathway components had abnormal expression levels in the mouse/human blastocyst-stage embryos in the miR-145-5p mimic-enriched extracellular vesicles (EVs) group. In conclusions, our study revealed that human extracellular vesicle-derived miRNAs in ULF impacted the developmental potential of blastocysts in women with endometriosis. Moreover, the upregulation of miR-145-5p-enriched EVs in mouse and human embryos negatively affected blastocyst development by suppressing the expression of components of the NOTCH signalling pathway, which may contribute to elucidate the cause of infertility in women with endometriosis.

Metabolic regulation of preimplantation embryo development in vivo and in vitro: Molecular mechanisms and insights

Understanding of embryonic development has led to the clinical application of Assisted Reproductive technologies (ART), with the resulting birth of millions of children. Recent developments in metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics have brought to light new insights into embryonic growth dynamics, with implications spanning reproductive medicine, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. The review explores the key metabolic processes and molecular pathways active during preimplantation embryo development, including PI3K-Akt, mTOR, AMPK, Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, Notch and Jak-Stat signaling pathways. We focused on analyzing the differences occurring in vitro as opposed to in vivo development and we discussed significant physiological and clinical implications.

Genomic insights into adaptation and inbreeding among Sub-Saharan African cattle from pastoral and agropastoral systems

Background

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cattle are crucial for socioeconomic stability yet face numerous environmental stressors such as diseases, parasites, and extreme heat within pastoral and agropastoral systems. Despite their significance, gaps remain in understanding how genetic diversity and inbreeding influence traits essential for disease resistance and environmental adaptability. This study examines the genomic adaptations that enable SSA cattle to thrive under these conditions and assesses the impact of inbreeding on such adaptive traits.

Methods

We analyzed genomic data from 113 cattle across four breeds-Kuri, N'dama, Zebu-Fulani, and Zebu-Bororo-employing Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) analyses to identify historical and recent genetic selections. Strict quality controls using PLINK software ensured accurate genomic pattern identification related to adaptation and inbreeding.

Results

ROH analysis revealed islands with genes such as RSAD2, CMPK2, and NOTCH1, which are involved in immune response and cellular stress management, highlighting regions of historical selection that have likely provided adaptive advantages in overcoming environmental and pathogenic stresses. In contrast, iHS analysis identified genes under recent selection like HIPK1, involved in stress response regulation, and EPHA5, which plays a crucial role in neural development and synaptic functions, potentially equipping these breeds with novel adaptations to ongoing and emergent environmental challenges.

Conclusion

This research confirms that selective pressures inherent in pastoral and agropastoral systems profoundly influence the genetic structure of SSA cattle. By delineating the genetic bases of key adaptive traits, our study offers crucial insights for targeted breeding programs to enhance cattle resilience and productivity. These findings provide a valuable framework for future genetic improvements and conservation strategies, crucial for sustainable livestock management and economic stability in SSA.

Extracellular vesicles-coupled miRNAs from oviduct and uterus modulate signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism and bovine early embryo development

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) present in oviductal (OF) and uterine fluid (UF) have been shown to enhance bovine embryo quality during in vitro culture by reducing lipid contents and modulating lipid metabolism-related genes (LMGs), while also influencing cell proliferation, suggesting their involvement on the regulation of different biological pathways. The regulation of signaling pathways related to cell differentiation, proliferation, and metabolism is crucial for early embryo development and can determine the success or failure of the pregnancy. Bioactive molecules within EVs in maternal reproductive fluids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), may contribute to this regulatory process as they modulate gene expression through post-transcriptional mechanisms.

RESULTS

From the 20 differentially expressed miRNAs, 19 up-regulated in UF-EVs (bta-miR-134, bta-miR-151-3p, bta-miR-155, bta-miR-188, bta-miR-181b, bta-miR-181d, bta-miR-224, bta-miR-23b-3p, bta-miR-24-3p, bta-miR-27a-3p, bta-miR-29a, bta-miR-324, bta-miR-326, bta-miR-345-3p, bta-miR-410, bta-miR-652, bta-miR-677, bta-miR-873 and bta-miR-708) and one (bta-miR-148b) in OF-EVs. These miRNAs were predicted to modulate several pathways such as Wnt, Hippo, MAPK, and lipid metabolism and degradation. Differences in miRNAs found in OF-EVs from the early luteal phase and UF-EVs from mid-luteal phase may reflect different environments to meet the changing needs of the embryo. Additionally, miRNAs may be involved, particularly in the uterus, in the regulation of embryo lipid metabolism, immune system, and implantation. This study evaluated miRNA cargo in OF-EVs from the early luteal phase and UF-EVs from the mid-luteal phase, coinciding with embryo transit within oviduct and uterus in vivo, and its possible influence on LMGs and signaling pathways crucial for early embryo development. A total of 333 miRNAs were detected, with 11 exclusive to OF, 59 to UF, and 263 were common between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that miRNAs within OF- and UF-EVs could modulate bovine embryo development and quality, providing insights into the intricate maternal-embryonic communication that might be involved in modulating lipid metabolism, immune response, and implantation during early pregnancy.

Ruminal microbiota-host crosstalks promote ruminal epithelial development in neonatal lambs with alfalfa hay introduction

Ruminal microbiota is gradually established after birth, while microbiota maturation could be highly diverse because of varied solid dietary accessibility. However, how the ruminal microbiota accreted from postnatal hay diets alters rumen epithelial development, and how this affects animal health remains largely unknown. Here, neonatal lambs were introduced to starchy corn-soybean starter or corn-soybean starter + alfalfa hay (AH) to investigate the influences of early life ruminal microbiome on rumen epithelial development using integrated 16s rRNA sequencing-metagenome-transcriptome approaches. The results showed that AH introduction elevated average daily weight gain, rumen weight and volume, rumen epithelial papillae length, and rumen muscle layer thickness. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of fibrolytic bacteria (Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, and Succinivibrio), acetate producer (Acetitomaculum and Mitsuokella), and propionate producer Succiniclasticum was increased in the rumen content by AH supplementation (P < 0.05). Moreover, AH introduction decreased the relative abundance of total CAZymes, CBM, and GH and increased the abundance of KO genes related to volatile fatty acid (VFA) generation in the rumen content. AH lambs had a higher relative abundance of Succiniclasticum, Megasphaera, Succinivibrio, and Suttonella (P < 0.05), while a lower relative abundance of Cloacibacillus, Desulfovibrio, Dialister, Intestinimonas, Parabacteroides, and Pseudoscardovia (P < 0.05) in the rumen epithelial samples. Furthermore, these alterations in ruminal microbial structure and function resulted in ruminal epithelial cell proliferation and development pathways activation. In summary, AH introduction benefited ruminal fiber degradation and VFA generation bacteria colonization and promoted ruminal epithelial development. These findings provide new insights into ruminal microbial-host interactions in the early life.IMPORTANCEWhile it is established that a fiber-rich diet promotes rumen development in lambs, further research is needed to investigate the precise response of rumen microbiota and epithelium to high-quality alfalfa hay. Here, we observed that the inclusion of alfalfa hay led to a discernible alteration in the developmental trajectory of the rumen. Notably, there was a favorable shift in the rumen's volume, morphology, and the development of rumen papillae. Furthermore, ruminal microbial structure and function resulted in ruminal epithelial cell proliferation and development pathways activation, collectively provide compelling evidence supporting the capacity of alfalfa hay to enhance rumen development and health through ruminal micrbiota-host crosstalks. Our findings elucidate the functional response of the rumen to alfalfa hay introduction, providing new insights into strategies for promoting healthy development of the rumen in young ruminants.

Chromatin accessibility memory of donor cells disrupts bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocysts development

The post-transfer developmental capacity of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) blastocysts is reduced, implying that abnormalities in gene expression regulation are present at blastocyst stage. Chromatin accessibility, as an indicator for transcriptional regulatory elements mediating gene transcription activity, has heretofore been largely unexplored in SCNT embryos, especially at blastocyst stage. In the present study, single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) of in vivo and SCNT blastocysts were conducted to segregate lineages and demonstrate the aberrant chromatin accessibility of transcription factors (TFs) related to inner cell mass (ICM) development in SCNT blastocysts. Pseudotime analysis of lineage segregation further reflected dysregulated chromatin accessibility dynamics of TFs in the ICM of SCNT blastocysts compared to their in vivo counterparts. ATAC- and ChIP-seq results of SCNT donor cells revealed that the aberrant chromatin accessibility in the ICM of SCNT blastocysts was due to the persistence of chromatin accessibility memory at corresponding loci in the donor cells, with strong enrichment of trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) at these loci. Correction of the aberrant chromatin accessibility through demethylation of H3K4me3 by KDM5B diminished the expression of related genes (e.g., BCL11B) and significantly improved the ICM proliferation in SCNT blastocysts. This effect was confirmed by knocking down BCL11B in SCNT embryos to down-regulate p21 and alleviate the inhibition of ICM proliferation. These findings expand our understanding of the chromatin accessibility abnormalities in SCNT blastocysts and BCL11B may be a potential target to improve SCNT efficiency.

Notch mediates the glycolytic switch via PI3K/Akt signaling to support embryonic development

BACKGROUND

Energy metabolism disorder or insufficient energy supply during incubation will affect the development and survival of avian embryos. Especially, β-oxidation could not provide the continuous necessary energy for avian embryonic development due to the increasing energy demand under hypoxic conditions during the mid-late embryonic stages. The role and mechanism of hypoxic glycolysis replacing β-oxidation as the main source of energy supply for avian embryonic development in the mid-late stages is unclear.

RESULTS

Here, we found that in ovo injection with glycolysis inhibitor or γ-secretase inhibitor both decreased the hepatic glycolysis level and impaired goose embryonic development. Intriguingly, the blockade of Notch signaling is also accompanied by the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling in the embryonic primary hepatocytes and embryonic liver. Notably, the decreased glycolysis and impaired embryonic growth induced by the blockade of Notch signaling were restored by activation of PI3K/Akt signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Notch signaling regulates a key glycolytic switch in a PI3K/Akt-dependent manner to supply energy for avian embryonic growth. Our study is the first to demonstrate the role of Notch signaling-induced glycolytic switching in embryonic development, and presents new insight into the energy supply patterns in embryogenesis under hypoxic conditions. In addition, it may also provide a natural hypoxia model for developmental biology studies such as immunology, genetics, virology, cancer, etc.

Pre-Implantation Bovine Embryo Evaluation-From Optics to Omics and Beyond

Approximately 80% of the ~1.5 million bovine embryos transferred in 2021 were in vitro produced. However, only ~27% of the transferred IVP embryos will result in live births. The ~73% pregnancy failures are partly due to transferring poor-quality embryos, a result of erroneous stereomicroscopy-based morphological evaluation, the current method of choice for pre-transfer embryo evaluation. Numerous microscopic (e.g., differential interference contrast, electron, fluorescent, time-lapse, and artificial-intelligence-based microscopy) and non-microscopic (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and nuclear magnetic resonance) methodologies have been tested to find an embryo evaluation technique that is superior to morphologic evaluation. Many of these research tools can accurately determine embryo quality/viability; however, most are invasive, expensive, laborious, technically sophisticated, and/or time-consuming, making them futile in the context of in-field embryo evaluation. However accurate they may be, using complex methods, such as RNA sequencing, SNP chips, mass spectrometry, and multiphoton microscopy, at thousands of embryo production/collection facilities is impractical. Therefore, future research is warranted to innovate field-friendly, simple benchtop tests using findings already available, particularly from omics-based research methodologies. Time-lapse monitoring and artificial-intelligence-based automated image analysis also have the potential for accurate embryo evaluation; however, further research is warranted to innovate economically feasible options for in-field applications.

Linker histone H1FOO is required for bovine preimplantation development by regulating lineage specification and chromatin structure

Linker histone H1 binds to the nucleosome and is implicated in the regulation of the chromatin structure and function. The H1 variant H1FOO is heavily expressed in oocytes and early embryos. However, given the poor homology of H1FOO among mammals, the functional role of H1FOO during preimplantation embryonic development remains largely unknown, especially in domestic animals. Here, we find that H1FOO is not only expressed in oocytes and preimplantation embryos but granulosa cells and spermatids in cattle. We then demonstrate that the interference of H1FOO results in preimplantation embryonic developmental arrest in cattle using either RNA editing or Trim-Away approach. H1FOO depletion leads to a compromised expression of critical lineage-specific genes at the morula stage and affects the establishment of cell polarity. Interestingly, H1FOO depletion causes a significant increase in the expression of genes encoding other linker H1 and core histones. Concurrently, there is an increase of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, two markers of repressive chromatin and a decrease of H4K16ac, a marker of open chromatin. Importantly, overexpression of bovine H1FOO results in severe embryonic developmental defects. In sum, we propose that H1FOO controls the proper chromatin structure that is crucial for the fidelity of cell polarization and lineage specification during bovine preimplantation development.

Base editing in bovine embryos reveals a species-specific role of SOX2 in regulation of pluripotency

The emergence of the first three lineages during development is orchestrated by a network of transcription factors, which are best characterized in mice. However, the role and regulation of these factors are not completely conserved in other mammals, including human and cattle. Here, we establish a gene inactivation system with a robust efficiency by introducing premature codon with cytosine base editors in bovine early embryos. By using this approach, we have determined the functional consequences of three critical lineage-specific genes (SOX2, OCT4 and CDX2) in bovine embryos. In particular, SOX2 knockout results in a failure of the establishment of pluripotency in blastocysts. Indeed, OCT4 level is significantly reduced and NANOG barely detectable. Furthermore, the formation of primitive endoderm is compromised with few SOX17 positive cells. RNA-seq analysis of single blastocysts (day 7.5) reveals dysregulation of 2074 genes, among which 90% are up-regulated in SOX2-null blastocysts. Intriguingly, more than a dozen lineage-specific genes, including OCT4 and NANOG, are down-regulated. Moreover, SOX2 level is sustained in the trophectoderm in absence of CDX2. However, OCT4 knockout does not affect the expression of SOX2. Overall, we propose that SOX2 is indispensable for OCT4 and NANOG expression and CDX2 represses the expression of SOX2 in the trophectoderm in cattle, which are all in sharp contrast with results in mice.

The first and second cell fate decisions of a new life are important for subsequent embryonic and placental development. These events are finely controlled by a network of transcriptional factors, which are extensively characterized in mice. Species-specific roles of these proteins are emerging in mammals. Here, we develop a gene loss-of-function system by using cytosine base editors in bovine early embryos. We find that expression pattern, functional roles, and regulation of SOX2 are all different between mouse and bovine embryos. Remarkably, SOX2 is extremely important for OCT4 and NANOG, two well-established pluripotency factors. Furthermore, CDX2 is required to repress SOX2 in the trophectoderm. Given similar expression pattern of SOX2 between human and bovine blastocysts, bovine embryo represents a putative model to investigate human pluripotency regulation in vivo.

Maternal DDB1 regulates apoptosis and lineage differentiation in porcine preimplantation embryos

CONTEXT

Maternal-effect genes (MEGs) play a critical role in modulating both cellular and molecular biology events in preimplantation embryonic development. Damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) is a gene that participates in meiotic resumption, ovulation, and embryonic stem cell maintenance. Its function in preimplantation development is not well-studied.

AIMS

We aimed to explore the expression pattern, genomic heritage, and potential molecular mechanisms of DDB1 in preimplantation embryos in porcine.

METHODS

In this study, RNA interference, microinjection, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and single-cell RNA sequencing were used to explore the molecular function of DDB1 in porcine preimplantation embryos.

KEY RESULTS

DDB1 was found to be expressed in germinal vesicle (GV) and Meiosis II (MII) oocytes and in preimplantation embryos. We confirmed it is a MEG. DDB1-deficient blastocysts had a significantly reduced number of trophectoderm cells, an increased apoptotic cell number and increased apoptosis index. According to a next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, 236 genes (131 upregulated and 105 downregulated) significantly changed in the DDB1-deficient morula. The myeloid leukaemia factor 1 (MLF1) and yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expressions were significantly upregulated and downregulated respectively, in the DDB1-deficient morula. In combination with the decreased expression of TEAD4, CDX2, GATA3, OCT4, and NANOG and the increased expression of SOX2 in the blastocyst, DDB1 may play a role in determining lineage differentiation and pluripotency maintenance.

CONCLUSIONS

DDB1 is a MEG and it plays a crucial role in porcine preimplantation embryonic development.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the molecular mechanisms of preimplantation embryo development.

Differential regulation of Hippo signaling pathway components between 8-cell and blastocyst stages of bovine preimplantation embryogenesis

The Hippo signaling pathway is an important regulator of lineage segregation (trophectoderm and inner cell mass) during blastocyst formation in the mouse embryos. However, the role and regulation of Hippo signaling pathway components during bovine embryonic development is not completely understood. This study was thus designed to interpret the roles of Hippo cell signaling pathway components using two different yet specific chemical inhibitors (Cerivastatin and XMU-MP-1). A significant decrease in the blastocyst rates were observed on treatment with Cerivastatin and XMU-MP-1 inhibitors for the treatment groups, in comparison to the control groups. At the 8-cell stage, a significant decrease was observed in the gene expression and nuclear protein localization of YAP1 (Yes Associated Protein 1) and pYAP1 components of Hippo signaling pathway. However, no such effect of Cerivastatin treatment was observed on the localization of TAZ at this cell stage. On the contrary, during bovine blastocyst formation a significant decrease in the gene expression and nuclear localization of both YAP1 and TAZ suggest differences in the regulation of these components at 8-cell and blastocyst stages of embryonic development. Furthermore, XMU-MP-1 mediated chemical inhibition of Mst1 at the blastocyst stage also suggests differences in the regulation of Yap1 and Taz components of Hippo signaling pathway. Overall, this study indicates novel differences in the regulation of Hippo signaling transcript levels and protein localization between the 8-cell and blastocyst stages of bovine preimplantation embryonic development.

Sperm Transcripts Associated With Odorant Binding and Olfactory Transduction Pathways Are Altered in Breeding Bulls Producing Poor-Quality Semen

Spermatozoa carries a reservoir of mRNAs regulating sperm functions and fertilizing potential. Although it is well recognized that a considerable proportion of high genetic merit breeding bulls produce poor-quality semen, the transcriptomic alterations in spermatozoa from such bulls are not understood. In the present study, comparative high-throughput transcriptomic profiling of spermatozoa from good and poor-quality semen-producing bulls was carried out to identify the transcripts associated with semen quality. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified 11,632 transcripts in Holstein Friesian bull spermatozoa; after total hit normalization, a total of 544 transcripts were detected, of which 185 transcripts were common to both good and poor-quality semen, while 181 sperm transcripts were unique to good quality semen, and 178 transcripts were unique to poor-quality semen. Among the co-expressed transcripts, 31 were upregulated, while 108 were downregulated, and 46 were neutrally expressed in poor-quality semen. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the dysregulated transcripts were predominantly involved in molecular function, such as olfactory receptor activity and odor binding, and in biological process, such as detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception, sensory perception of smell, signal transduction, and signal synaptic transmission. Since a majority of the dysregulated transcripts were involved in the olfactory pathway (85% of enriched dysregulated genes were involved in this pathway), the expression of selected five transcripts associated with this pathway (OR2T11, OR10S1, ORIL3, OR5M11, and PRRX1) were validated using real-time qPCR, and it was found that their transcriptional abundance followed the same trend as observed in NGS; the sperm transcriptional abundance of OR2T11 and OR10S1 differed significantly (p < 0.05) between good and poor-quality semen. It is concluded that poor-quality semen showed altered expression of transcripts associated with olfactory receptors and pathways indicating the relationship between olfactory pathway and semen quality in bulls.

Immunolocalization of Notch Signaling in Mouse Preimplantation Embryos

The Notch signaling pathway is an important determinant of cell diversity and identity in most developing embryonic tissues. The pathway components are expressed dynamically, and their function is critical for embryonic survival.This protocol addresses the immunolocalization of Notch pathway components by confocal microscopy.

Functional roles of the chromatin remodeler SMARCA5 in mouse and bovine preimplantation embryos†

Upon fertilization, extensive chromatin reprogramming occurs during preimplantation development. Growing evidence reveals species-dependent regulations of this process in mammals. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factor SMARCA5 (also known as SNF2H) is required for peri-implantation development in mice. However, the specific functional role of SMARCA5 in preimplantation development and if it is conserved among species remain unclear. Herein, comparative analysis of public RNA-seq datasets reveals that SMARCA5 is universally expressed during oocyte maturation and preimplantation development in mice, cattle, humans, and pigs with species-specific patterns. Immunostaining analysis further describes the temporal and spatial changes of SMARCA5 in both mouse and bovine models. siRNA-mediated SMARCA5 depletion reduces the developmental capability and compromises the specification and differentiation of inner cell mass in mouse preimplantation embryos. Indeed, OCT4 is not restricted into the inner cell mass and the formation of epiblast and primitive endoderm disturbed with reduced NANOG and SOX17 in SMARCA5-deficient blastocysts. RNA-seq analysis shows SMARCA5 depletion causes limited effects on the transcriptomics at the morula stage, however, dysregulates 402 genes, including genes involved in transcription regulation and cell proliferation at the blastocyst stage in mice. By comparison, SMARCA5 depletion does not affect the development through the blastocyst stage but significantly compromises the blastocyst quality in cattle. Primitive endoderm formation is greatly disrupted with reduced GATA6 in bovine blastocysts. Overall, our studies demonstrate the importance of SMARCA5 in fostering the preimplantation development in mice and cattle while there are species-specific effects.