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Wu Z, Ma L, Su D, Xiagedeer B. The disrupting effect of chlormequat chloride on growth hormone is associated with pregnancy. Toxicol Lett 2024; 395:17-25. [PMID: 38552810 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Since chlormequat chloride is widely applied as a plant growth regulator in agriculture and horticulture, its exposure through food consumption is common. We demonstrated previously that chlormequat chloride exposure during pregnancy led to embryos with bigger sizes associated with higher levels of growth hormone (GH) on gestation day 11 (GD11). However, the dose-effect relationship of chlormequat chloride at a lower dose range was not established, and the underlying mechanisms of its promoting effects on embryonic growth and development were not fully elucidated. To address these, pregnant rats were orally exposed to chlormequat chloride at 0, 0.05, 0.5 and 5 mg/kg.bw from GD0 to 11 and the embryonic growth and growth related hormones were evaluated on GD11. We found that the growth and development of the embryos was significantly promoted in a dose dependent manner by chlormequat chloride. Chlormequat chloride also increased embryonic GH, GH releasing hormone (GHRH), and somatostatin (SRIF), and inhibited the embryonic cAMP dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. Chlormequat chloride increased GH synthesis modulated by GHRH/SRIF-PKA-Pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (Pit-1) in the maternal rats. Intriguingly, chlormequat chloride did not show any effects on GH and PKA signaling pathways in the non-pregnant female rats. These findings together suggest that the disrupting effect of chlormequat chloride on GH is associated with pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongzhen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Special Environment and Health Research in Xinjiang, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, PR China
| | - Long Ma
- Key Laboratory of Special Environment and Health Research in Xinjiang, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, PR China
| | - Deqi Su
- Key Laboratory of Special Environment and Health Research in Xinjiang, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, PR China
| | - Bayindala Xiagedeer
- Key Laboratory of Special Environment and Health Research in Xinjiang, School of Public Health, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, PR China.
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Yu W, Peng Y, Peng X, Li Z, Liu C, Yang L, Gao Y, Liang S, Yuan B, Chen C, Kim NH, Jiang H, Zhang J. 6-Gingerol Improves In Vitro Porcine Embryo Development by Reducing Oxidative Stress. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13081315. [PMID: 37106877 PMCID: PMC10135256 DOI: 10.3390/ani13081315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
6-Gingerol, the main active ingredient in ginger, exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, and can affect cell development. However, the effects of 6-gingerol on mammalian reproductive processes, especially early embryonic development, are unclear. This study explored whether 6-gingerol can be used to improve the quality of in vitro-cultured porcine embryos. The results showed that 5 μM 6-gingerol significantly increased the blastocyst formation rates of porcine early embryos. 6-Gingerol attenuated intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation and autophagy, increased intracellular glutathione levels, and increased mitochondrial activity. In addition, 6-gingerol upregulated NANOG, SRY-box transcription factor 2, cytochrome c oxidase subunit II, mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase, and RPTOR independent companion of MTOR complex 2 while downregulating Caspase 3, baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5, autophagy related 12, and Beclin 1. Most importantly, 6-gingerol significantly increased the levels of p-extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 while reducing the levels of p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2/3 and p-p38. These results indicate that 6-gingerol can promote the development of porcine early embryos in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Yu
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yanxia Peng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xinyue Peng
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Ze Li
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Grains, Jilin Business and Technology College, Changchun 130507, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Tongyu Grassland Management Station, Changchun 137200, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Chengzhen Chen
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Nam-Hyung Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiabao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
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3
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Maternal chlormequat chloride exposure disrupts embryonic growth and produces postnatal adverse effects. Toxicology 2020; 442:152534. [PMID: 32622971 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We showed previously that chlormequat chloride, a widely used plant growth regulator, could affect embryonic growth and growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis of rats. However, the potential effects of low dose chlormequat chloride exposure during pregnancy on embryonic and postnatal growth and development remain unclear. To further assess the risk of chlormequat chloride to human embryonic growth and postnatal health, we exposed maternal rats orally to the chemical during pregnancy at 5 mg/kg bw, a dose corresponding to the human acceptable daily intake (ADI) level set by World Health Organization (WHO), and determined the effects of chlormequat on embryo growth and postnatal health. We found that chlormequat chloride increased embryonic growth parameters, GH, and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) levels, but did not affect somatostatin and IGF-1 on gestational day (GD) 11. In the pups of postnatal day (PD) 7, we observed increased head length, decreased body fat percentage, hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hyperproteinemia. In conclusion, maternal exposure to chlormequat chloride during pregnancy disrupts the embryonic growth probably through its effects on growth regulators and even has adverse effects on postnatal health.
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Xiagedeer B, Kang C, Hou X, Hu H, Xiao Q, Hao W. Chlormequat chloride promotes rat embryonic growth and GH-IGF-1 axis. Toxicology 2020; 429:152326. [PMID: 31704167 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2019.152326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlormequat chloride, a plant growth regulator, is widely applied in agriculture because it can promote sturdier growth of the crops. In this research, we found that rat embryo growth on GD11 was inhibited in vitro at 50 μg/ml but promoted in vivo at 75 mg/kg.bw by maternal oral exposure. Therefore, the concentrations of chlormequat chloride in the sera of the pregnant rats on gestation day (GD)11 were determined by a high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) test to be 1.94 ± 0.023 μg/ml, 3.84 ± 0.080 μg/ml, and 7.08 ± 0.11 μg/ml, respectively, when the pregnant rats were orally exposed to chlormequat chloride at 75, 137.5, and 200 mg/kg.bw. Hence, we performed WEC tests again and confirmed that the rat embryo growth in vitro was promoted by chlormequat chloride at 5 μg/mL. The embryonic growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were increased by chlormequat chloride both in vitro and in vivo compared with the control ones. We concluded that chlormequat chloride could elevate GH and IGF-1 levels in embryos and promote embryonic growth both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayindala Xiagedeer
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Chenping Kang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Hou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Hong Hu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Qianqian Xiao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Weidong Hao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing Key Laboratory of Toxicological Research and Risk Assessment for Food Safety, Beijing, 100191, PR China.
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Devesa J, Almengló C, Devesa P. Multiple Effects of Growth Hormone in the Body: Is it Really the Hormone for Growth? Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes 2016; 9:47-71. [PMID: 27773998 PMCID: PMC5063841 DOI: 10.4137/cmed.s38201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we analyze the effects of growth hormone on a number of tissues and organs and its putative role in the longitudinal growth of an organism. We conclude that the hormone plays a very important role in maintaining the homogeneity of tissues and organs during the normal development of the human body or after an injury. Its effects on growth do not seem to take place during the fetal period or during the early infancy and are mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) during childhood and puberty. In turn, IGF-I transcription is dependent on an adequate GH secretion, and in many tissues, it occurs independent of GH. We propose that GH may be a prohormone, rather than a hormone, since in many tissues and organs, it is proteolytically cleaved in a tissue-specific manner giving origin to shorter GH forms whose activity is still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Devesa
- Scientific Direction, Medical Center Foltra, Teo, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Devesa
- Research and Development, Medical Center Foltra, 15886-Teo, Spain
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Hull KL, Harvey S. Growth hormone and reproduction: a review of endocrine and autocrine/paracrine interactions. Int J Endocrinol 2014; 2014:234014. [PMID: 25580121 PMCID: PMC4279787 DOI: 10.1155/2014/234014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The somatotropic axis, consisting of growth hormone (GH), hepatic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and assorted releasing factors, regulates growth and body composition. Axiomatically, since optimal body composition enhances reproductive function, general somatic actions of GH modulate reproductive function. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that GH also modulates reproduction directly, exerting both gonadotropin-dependent and gonadotropin-independent actions in both males and females. Moreover, recent studies indicate GH produced within reproductive tissues differs from pituitary GH in terms of secretion and action. Accordingly, GH is increasingly used as a fertility adjunct in males and females, both humans and nonhumans. This review reconsiders reproductive actions of GH in vertebrates in respect to these new conceptual developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry L Hull
- Department of Biology, Bishop's University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1M 1Z7 ; Centre de Recherche Clinique Etienne-Le Bel, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1H 5N4
| | - Steve Harvey
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2R3
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Harvey S, Baudet ML. Extrapituitary growth hormone and growth? Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 205:55-61. [PMID: 24746676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
While growth hormone (GH) is obligatory for postnatal growth, it is not required for a number of growth-without-GH syndromes, such as early embryonic or fetal growth. Instead, these syndromes are thought to be dependent upon local growth factors, rather than pituitary GH. The GH gene is, however, also expressed in many extrapituitary tissues, particularly during early development and extrapituitary GH may be one of the local growth factors responsible for embryonic or fetal growth. Moreover, as the expression of the GH receptor (GHR) gene mirrors that of GH in extrapituitary tissues the actions of GH in early development are likely to be mediated by local autocrine or paracrine mechanisms, especially as extrapituitary GH expression occurs prior to the ontogeny of pituitary somatotrophs or the appearance of GH in the circulation. The extrapituitary expression of pituitary somatotrophs or the appearance of GH in the circulation. The extrapituitary expression of GH in embryos has also been shown to be of functional relevance in a number of species, since the immunoneutralization of endogenous GH or the blockade of GH production is accompanied by growth impairment or cellular apoptosis. The extrapituitary expression of the GH gene also persists in some central and peripheral tissues postnatally, which may reflect its continued functional importance and physiological or pathophysiological significance. The expression and functional relevance of extrapituitary GH, particularly during embryonic growth, is the focus of this brief review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Harvey
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada.
| | - Marie-Laure Baudet
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7, Canada
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8
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Nguyen N, Stellwag EJ, Zhu Y. Prolactin-dependent modulation of organogenesis in the vertebrate: Recent discoveries in zebrafish. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2008; 148:370-80. [PMID: 18593647 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2008] [Revised: 05/19/2008] [Accepted: 05/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The scientific literature is replete with evidence of the multifarious functions of the prolactin (PRL)/growth hormone (GH) superfamily in adult vertebrates. However, little information is available on the roles of PRL and related hormones prior to the adult stage of development. A limited number of studies suggest that GH functions to stimulate glucose transport and protein synthesis in mouse blastocytes and may be involved during mammalian embryogenesis. In contrast, the evidence for a role of PRL during vertebrate embryogenesis is limited and controversial. Genes encoding GH/PRL hormones and their respective receptors are actively transcribed and translated in various animal models at different time points, particularly during tissue remodeling. We have addressed the potential function of GH/PRL hormones during embryonic development in zebrafish by the temporary inhibition of in vivo PRL translation. This treatment caused multiple morphological defects consistent with a role of PRL in embryonic-stage organogenesis. The affected organs and tissues are known targets of PRL activity in fish and homologous structures in mammalian species. Traditionally, the GH/PRL hormones are viewed as classical endocrine hormones, mediating functions through the circulatory system. More recent evidence points to cytokine-like actions of these hormones through either an autocrine or a paracrine mechanism. In some situations they could mimic actions of developmentally regulated genes as suggested by experiments in multiple organisms. In this review, we present similarities and disparities between zebrafish and mammalian models in relation to PRL and PRLR activity. We conclude that the zebrafish could serve as a suitable alternative to the rodent model to study PRL functions in development, especially in relation to organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhu Nguyen
- Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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9
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Growth hormone and in vitro maturation of rhesus macaque oocytes and subsequent embryo development. J Assist Reprod Genet 2008; 25:145-58. [PMID: 18278582 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-008-9208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2007] [Accepted: 02/04/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to use a nonhuman primate model to examine the effects of growth hormone (GH) on oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM). METHODS Immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of GH receptors in rhesus cumulus oocyte complexes and the cytoplasm of embryonic blastomeres. Recombinant human GH (r-hGH) was added to IVM medium and cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation and embryo development were analyzed. RESULTS Cumulus expansion was highest in the presence of 1 and 10 ng/ml r-hGH. The addition of r-hGH during IVM increased the percentage of embryos progressing to at least the 9-16 cell stage. In a separate study, 100 ng/ml r-hGH was supplemented to IVM and embryo culture medium and no effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS The presence of GH receptors along with increased cumulus expansion and embryos progressing to the 9-16 cell stage supports the hypothesis that r-hGH may be involved in oocyte maturation.
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Sanders EJ, Harvey S. Peptide hormones as developmental growth and differentiation factors. Dev Dyn 2008; 237:1537-52. [PMID: 18498096 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide hormones, usually considered to be endocrine factors responsible for communication between tissues remotely located from each other, are increasingly being found to be synthesized in developing tissues, where they act locally. Several hormones are now known to be produced in developing tissues that are unrelated to the endocrine gland of origin in the adult. These hormones are synthesized locally, and are active as differentiation and survival factors, before the developing adult endocrine tissue becomes functional. There is increasing evidence for paracrine and/or autocrine actions for these factors during development, thus, placing them among the conventional growth and differentiation factors. We review the evidence for the view that thyroid hormones, growth hormone, prolactin, insulin, and parathyroid hormone-related protein are developmental growth and differentiation factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmond J Sanders
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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11
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Sanders EJ, Harvey S. Growth hormone as an early embryonic growth and differentiation factor. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 209:1-9. [PMID: 15480774 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-004-0422-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In this review we consider the evidence that growth hormone (GH) acts in the embryo as a local growth, differentiation, and cell survival factor. Because both GH and its receptors are present in the early embryo before the functional differentiation of pituitary somatotrophs and before the establishment of a functioning circulatory system, the conditions are such that GH may be a member of the large battery of autocrine/paracrine growth factors that control embryonic development. It has been clearly established that GH is able to exert direct effects, independent of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), on the differentiation, proliferation, and survival of cells in a wide variety of tissues in the embryo, fetus, and adult. The signaling pathways behind these effects of GH are now beginning to be determined, establishing early extrapituitary GH as a bona fide developmental growth factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmond J Sanders
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, T6G 2H7 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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12
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Beyea JA, Olson DM, Harvey S. Growth hormone (GH) action in the developing lung: Changes in lung proteins after adenoviral GH overexpression. Dev Dyn 2005; 234:404-12. [PMID: 16127721 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) recently has been shown to be expressed in the neonatal rat lung during alveolarization. The possible functional importance of lung GH in lung function, therefore, has been assessed by determining changes in GH-responsive proteins in the developing rat lung after the overexpression of the GH gene in this tissue. GH overexpression was achieved using an adenovirus that expressed the mouse GH gene. This adenovirus was effective in inducing mouse GH expression in cultured rat lung L2 epithelial cells. It was also shown to be strongly expressed in the alveoli of 14-day-old rat pup lungs 10 days after it was administered by intratracheal injection, during a period of rapid lung development. Expression of the transgene in these pups was accompanied by changes in lung protein concentrations determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The lung concentrations of specific enzymes (nucleotide diphosphate kinase B, Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and aldehyde reductase-1) were increased by the adenoviral expression of mouse GH, as were the concentrations of beta subunit G-protein calponin 2, beta-5 tubulin, retinoblastoma binding protein 4, and fetuin A. In contrast, the lung concentrations of haptoglobin and major acute phase alpha-1 protein were reduced by adenoviral expression of mouse GH. Although most of these proteins have not previously been identified as GH-responsive proteins, these results demonstrate actions of GH in the rat lung and support the possibility that GH acts as an autocrine/paracrine during early lung development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Beyea
- Department of Physiology and Perinatal Research Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Kidson A, Rubio-Pomar FJ, Van Knegsel A, Van Tol HTA, Hazeleger W, Ducro-Steverink DWB, Colenbrander B, Dieleman SJ, Bevers MM. Quality of porcine blastocysts produced in vitro in the presence or absence of GH. Reproduction 2004; 127:165-77. [PMID: 15056782 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
GH receptor (GHR) mRNA is expressed in bovinein vitroproduced embryos up to the blastocyst stage and GH improves the quality of bovine embryos by increasing blastocyst cell numbers and reducing the incidence of apoptosis as evaluated by DNA strand-break labelling. Porcinein vitroproduced blastocysts have lower cell numbers thanin vivoblastocysts and exhibit higher incidences of apoptosis. Therefore we investigated the effects of 100 ng GH/ml NCSU23 medium duringin vitroculture of presumptivein vitrofertilized sow zygotes on embryo development and blastocyst quality (defined by diameter, cell number, apoptosis and survival after non-surgical transfer).In vivoproduced blastocysts were analysed concurrently as a reference value. GHR was expressed in embryos from the 2-cell to blastocyst stages. GH had no effect on blastocyst development or cell numbers, but increased the mean blastocyst diameter. The incidence of apoptosis, detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL), was decreased by GH, but when non-TUNEL-labelled apoptotic fragmented nuclei were included, no difference was seen. GH appeared to slow down the progression of apoptosis though.In vivoproduced blastocysts presented no apoptotic nuclei, and contained higher cell numbers and larger diameters. Pregnancy rates on day 11 were similar for all groups, but survival was poorer forin vitrothanin vivoproduced blastocysts. In this study GH appeared to be beneficial only from the blastocyst stage, but the presence of GHR from early cleavage stages nevertheless indicates a role for GH throughout porcine embryo development and deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kidson
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Wolf E, Arnold GJ, Bauersachs S, Beier HM, Blum H, Einspanier R, Fröhlich T, Herrler A, Hiendleder S, Kölle S, Prelle K, Reichenbach HD, Stojkovic M, Wenigerkind H, Sinowatz F. Embryo-maternal communication in bovine - strategies for deciphering a complex cross-talk. Reprod Domest Anim 2003; 38:276-89. [PMID: 12887567 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0531.2003.00435.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Early embryonic development, implantation and maintenance of a pregnancy are critically dependent on an intact embryo-maternal communication. So far, only few signals involved in this dialogue have been identified. In bovine and other ruminants, interferon tau is the predominant embryonic pregnancy recognition signal, exhibiting antiluteolytic activity. However, this is just one aspect of the complex process of embryo-maternal signalling, and a number of other systems are more likely to be involved. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of these important mechanisms, integrated projects involving specialists in embryology, reproductive biotechnology and functional genome research are necessary to perform a systematic analysis of interactions between pre-implantation stage embryos and oviduct or uterine epithelial cells, respectively. State-of-the-art transcriptomic and proteomic technologies will identify reciprocal signals between embryos and their maternal environment and the respective downstream reaction cascades. For in vivo studies, the use of monozygotic twins as recipient animals provides elegant model systems, thus eliminating genetic variability as a cause of differential gene expression. In addition, suitable systems for the co-culture of oviduct epithelial or endometrium cells with the respective embryonic stages need to be established for functional validation of candidate genes potentially involved in the dialogue between embryos and their maternal environment. The knowledge of these mechanisms should help to increase the pregnancy rate following embryo transfer and to avoid embryonic losses. Candidate genes involved in embryo-maternal communication will also be used to define new quality criteria for the selection of embryos for transfer to recipients. Another application is the supplementation of embryotrophic factors or components of embryo-maternal signalling in optimized formulations, such as bioartificial matrices. As a long-term goal, signalling mechanisms identified in bovine will also be functionally evaluated in other species, including the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Wolf
- Institut für Molekulare Tierzucht, Genzentrum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.
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15
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Mtango NR, Varisanga MD, Dong YJ, Rajamahendran R, Suzuki T. Growth factors and growth hormone enhance in vitro embryo production and post-thaw survival of vitrified bovine blastocysts. Theriogenology 2003; 59:1393-402. [PMID: 12527085 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)01163-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the influence of specific growth factors and growth hormone (GH) in the culture medium on in vitro embryo production and post-thaw survival of vitrified blastocysts. In total, 1673 bovine oocytes were used for evaluating the nuclear status of the oocytes after in vitro maturation (n=560) or for in vitro fertilization (IVF, n=1113) and distributed in five treatment groups: (1). medium only control; (2). activin (10 ng/ml); (3). epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10 ng/ml); (4). insulin 5 microg/ml and (5). GH (100 ng/ml). There was an increase (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) in the percentage of oocytes that reached meta phase II, developed to blastocysts and hatched, as well as in the blastocyst cell number in the groups treated with activin, EGF and GH compared to controls. There was no significant difference between insulin and control groups. A total of 465 blastocysts were vitrified in a three-step protocol using ethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. After thawing, embryos were cultured in five treatments groups as described above. Groups EGF and GH had higher (P<0.05) survival rates with a mean blastocyst survival of 95.0+/-1.5 and 93.1+/-3.5%, respectively, while mean hatching rate was higher for EGF and activin groups (75.3+/-3.4 and 62.0+/-3.2%, respectively). Thawed control blastocysts had a mean cell count of 52.7+/-3.3%. With the exception of insulin, all growth factors and GH tested showed higher (P<0.01) total cell numbers when compared to controls. In conclusion, addition of growth factors and GH in the culture media has favorable effects on in vitro maturation, in vitro embryo production, and post-thaw survival of vitrified blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- N R Mtango
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Applied Biotechnology, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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Abstract
Studies across several species, particularly the mouse, show that growth hormone (GH, somatotrophin) is an important determinant of litter size, and to a lesser extent, of birth length. GH acts at all stages of development, from ovulation through preimplantation development to the late fetus, with actions on both embryo/fetus and mother contributing to successful fetal development. The fact that these are not more obvious in vivo is likely a result of redundancy of cytokine hormone action, particularly in relation to prolactin, which shares common actions and receptor locations with GH.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Waters
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, Australia.
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Moreira F, Badinga L, Burnley C, Thatcher WW. Bovine somatotropin increases embryonic development in superovulated cows and improves post-transfer pregnancy rates when given to lactating recipient cows. Theriogenology 2002; 57:1371-87. [PMID: 12013456 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00719-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies indicated that the use of bovine somatotropin (bST) in concurrence with a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol increased pregnancy rates. However, the mechanisms for such a bST effect on fertility were not clear. Objectives of this study were to determine the effects of bST on fertilization and early embryonic development after cows received a superovulation treatment, test whether embryos recovered from bST-treated cows were more likely to survive after transfer to recipients, and evaluate whether treatment of recipient cows with bST affects pregnancy rates. Lactating (n = 8) and nonlactating (n = 4) Holstein donor cows were superovulated, inseminated at detected estrus and assigned to a nontreated control group or to a treatment group receiving a single injection of bST (500 mg, sc) at insemination. Embryos were nonsurgically flushed 7 days after AI and frozen in ethylene glycol for direct transfer. Embryos derived from bST-treated (bST-embryos) or control (control-embryos) donors were transferred to lactating Holstein recipient cows that received either bST treatment 1 day after estrus (500 mg, sc; bST-recipients) or were untreated controls (control-recipients). Thus, there were four treatment groups: control-embryos/control-recipients (n = 43), bST-embryos/control-recipients (n = 41), control-embryos/bST-recipients (n = 37), and bST-embryos/bST-recipients (n = 60). Pregnancy was determined by palpation per rectum 33-43 days after embryo transfer. Unfertilized ova per flush was less for bST than for control (1.0 +/- 0.9 < 3.7 +/- 0.9; P < 0.04). Percentage of transferable embryos was greater for bST than for control (77.2% > 56.4%; P < 0.01). Number of blastocysts per flush was greater for bST than for control (2.4 +/- 0.7 > 0.4 +/- 0.7; P < 0.04). Pregnancy rates following embryo transfer were 25.6% for control-recipient/control-embryo, 43.2% for bST-recipient/control-embryo, 56.1% for control-recipient/bST-embryo, and 43.3% for bST-recipient/bST-embryo. Transfer of bST-embryos increased pregnancy rates compared with transfer of control-embryos (P < 0.04). An interaction between embryo and recipient treatments (P < 0.05) indicated that treatment of recipient cows with bST increased pregnancy rates as compared to control-recipients that received a control-embryo. However, there was no additive effect when bST-recipients received a bST-embryo. Administration of bST at AI decreased the number of unfertilized ova, increased the percentage of transferable embryos, and stimulated embryonic development to the blastocyst stage. Moreover, bST affected both early embryonic development and recipient components to increase pregnancy rates following embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Moreira
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA
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Moreira F, Paula-Lopes FF, Hansen PJ, Badinga L, Thatcher WW. Effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I on development of in vitro derived bovine embryos. Theriogenology 2002; 57:895-907. [PMID: 11991392 DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00694-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine whether the addition of growth hormone (GH) to maturation medium and GH or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to culture medium affects development of cultured bovine embryos. We matured groups of 10 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in serum-free TCM-199 medium containing FSH and estradiol with or without 100 ng/ml GH. After fertilization, we transferred groups of 10 putative zygotes to 25 microl drops of a modified KSOM medium containing the following treatments: non-specific IgG (a control antibody, 10 microg/ml); GH (100 ng/ml) + IgG (10 microg/ml, GH/IgG); IGF-I (100 ng/ml) + IgG (10 microg/ml, IGF/IgG); antibody to IGF-I (10 microg/ml, anti-IGF); GH (100 ng/ml) + anti-IGF (10 microg/ml GH/anti-IGF); IGF-I (100 ng/ml) + anti-IGF (10 microg/ml, IGF/anti-IGF); no further additions (control). We repeated the experiment six times. Adding GH to the maturation medium increased cleavage rates at Day 3 compared to control (87.3 +/- 1.2% > 83.9 +/- 1.2%; P < 0.05) but had no effects on blastocyst development at Day 8. At Day 8, blastocyst development was greater (P < 0.01) for GH/IgG (24.8 +/- 2.5%) and IGF/IgG (33.7 +/- 2.5%) than for IgG (16.1 +/- 2.1%) and greater for IGF/IgG than for GH/IgG (P < 0.02). Blastocyst development at Day 8 did not differ between anti-IGF (20.4 +/- 1.8%) and GH/anti-IGF (24.1 +/- 1.9%) or IGF/anti-IGF (17.7 +/- 1.9%), but it was greater for GH/anti-IGF than for IGF/anti-IGF (P < 0.05). The Day 8 blastocysts of GH/IgG and IGF-I/IgG groups had a higher (P < 0.01) number of cells than the IgG group. The addition of anti-IGF-I eliminated the effects of IGF-I on cell number but did not alter GH effects. In conclusion, both GH and IGF-I stimulate embryonic development in cattle and GH effects may likely involve IGF-I-independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Moreira
- Department of Aninial Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, USA
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Kölle S, Stojkovic M, Prelle K, Waters M, Wolf E, Sinowatz F. Growth Hormone (GH)/GH Receptor Expression and GH-Mediated Effects During Early Bovine Embryogenesis1. Biol Reprod 2001; 64:1826-34. [PMID: 11369615 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod64.6.1826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary growth hormone (GH) stimulates postnatal growth and metabolism. The role of GH and its receptor (GHR) during prenatal development, however, is still controversial. As shown by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), bovine in vitro fertilization embryos synthesized the transcript of GHR from Day 2 of embryonic life onwards. Real time RT-PCR revealed that synthesis of GHR mRNA was increased 5.9-fold in 6-day-old embryos compared with 2-day-old embryos. Using in situ hybridization, the mRNA encoding GHR was predominantly localized to the inner cell mass of blastocysts. The GHR protein was first visualized 3 days after fertilization. GH-specific transcripts were first detected in embryos on Day 8 of in vitro culture. As shown by transmission electron microscopy, GH treatment resulted in elimination of glycogen storage in 6- to 8-day-old embryos and an increase in exocytosis of lipid vesicles. These results suggest that a functional GHR able to modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is synthesized during preimplantation development of the bovine embryo and that this GHR may be subject to activation by embryonic GH after Day 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kölle
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy II, University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany.
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Izadyar F, Van Tol HT, Hage WG, Bevers MM. Preimplantation bovine embryos express mRNA of growth hormone receptor and respond to growth hormone addition during in vitro development. Mol Reprod Dev 2000; 57:247-55. [PMID: 11013432 DOI: 10.1002/1098-2795(200011)57:3<247::aid-mrd6>3.0.co;2-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies we demonstrated that bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from small and medium sized follicles express growth hormone receptor (GHR) mRNA and respond to growth hormone (GH) addition during in vitro maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bovine zygotes and preimplantation embryos continue the expression of GHR gene after in vitro fertilization and during early embryo development and whether supplementation of GH during embryo culture affects embryo development. Therefore, COCs obtained from small and medium sized follicles were cultured in M199 supplemented with 10% FCS and gonadotropins for 24 hr. After in vitro fertilization the embryos were cultured: (a) on a monolayer of buffalo rat liver (BRL) cells in M199 supplemented with 10% FCS and 100 ng/ml bovine GH (NIH-GH-B18); (b) in droplets of serum-free BRL-conditioned medium supplemented with 100 ng/ml GH; (c) in droplets of synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with 100 ng/ml GH. Cultures without GH served as controls. Embryos were scored morphologically and the efficiency of the culture system was evaluated (a) as the percentage of cleaved embryos 4 days after IVF, (b) the percentage of blastocysts on Day 9 expressed on the basis of the number of oocytes at the onset of culture, and (c) the percentage of hatched blastocysts on Day 11 expressed on the basis of the total number of blastocysts present at Day 9. For gene expression, immature (GV) and mature (MII) oocytes (as positive control), embryos with less than 8 cells, 16-32 cells, and hatched blastocysts were prepared for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess the expression of mRNA of GHR. Messenger RNA for GHR was found in GV and MII oocytes and in all stages of embryo development. No mRNA for GH could be detected in early and expanded blastocysts produced in SOF medium. Immunoreactive GHR was found both in trophoblastic and embryonic cells of hatched blastocysts. Addition of 100 ng/ml GH during embryo culture on a monolayer of BRL cells in M199 supplemented with 10% FCS did not affect embryo development. However, GH (100 ng/ml) supplementation during embryo culture in droplets of serum-free BRL conditioned medium significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the proportion of > 8-cell embryos. Similarly, culture of embryos in droplets of SOF medium in the presence of GH (100 ng/ml) significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the number of > 8-cell embryos from 53.8% in control to 70.6% in GH-treated group. Day 9 blastocyst formation in SOF medium was also significantly (P < 0.01) increased in the presence of GH (33.9%) compared to the control (20.2%). Embryos cultured in SOF without GH rarely resulted in hatched blastocysts (0.7%). However, GH supplementation remarkably enhanced the proportion of the hatched blastocysts (13%). In conclusion, expression of GHR gene in preimplantation bovine embryos, presence of the receptor, and the beneficial effect of GH on cleavage, blastocyst formation and hatchability of the embryos point to the involvement of GH in early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Izadyar
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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Montag M, Koll B, Holmes P. Significance of the number of embryonic cells and the state of the zona pellucida for hatching of mouse blastocysts in vitro versus in vivo. Biol Reprod 2000; 62:1738-44. [PMID: 10819778 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod62.6.1738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the course of mouse blastocyst hatching in vitro after experimental modulation of the hatching process by growth hormone or by laser treatment and compared it to embryos grown in vivo. When embryos were grown in vitro, successful hatching was dependent on blastocyst expansion and was based on a minimum number of embryonic cells. Embryos grown in the presence of growth hormone were more advanced in their development and hatched earlier. When an artificial opening was laser-drilled into the zona pellucida, hatching occurred at lower numbers of embryonic cells. In vivo, escape from the zona pellucida occurred earlier and independent of blastocyst expansion. However, when we isolated in vivo-grown blastocysts with intact zonae that had developed in vivo and then cultured them in vitro, blastocysts started to expand and hatched the following day when a sufficiently high number of embryonic cells was present. Our data show that successful hatching in vitro is dependent on a sufficiently high number of embryonic cells, which enables blastocyst expansion and zona shedding. In vivo, the lower number of embryonic cells detected in zona-free blastocysts indicates that the underlying mechanism of zona escape is different, does not depend on blastocyst expansion, and presumably involves lytic factors from the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Montag
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Bonn, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
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Neganova IE, Sekirina GG, Eichenlaub-Ritter U. Surface-expressed E-cadherin, and mitochondrial and microtubule distribution in rescue of mouse embryos from 2-cell block by aggregation. Mol Hum Reprod 2000; 6:454-64. [PMID: 10775650 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/6.5.454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
E-cadherin (uvomorulin)-mediated cell interactions are essential for preimplantation development in mammals. We observed that E-cadherin is expressed at contact sites between blastomeres of 2-cell mouse embryos of non-blocking genotype (CBA x C57BL F1) explanted at 32 h post human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and cultured in vitro, while blastomere rounding and reduced zones of contact and E-cadherin-staining were observed in embryos of a blocking strain (MF1) arrested at the 2-cell stage. Embryos of MF1 strain can be rescued by aggregation with four 2-cell embryos of the non-blocking genotype. An early event in rescue is E-cadherin expression at contact zones between adjacent embryos of different genotype in aggregation chimeras. E-cadherin-mediated signalling appears important for the rescue (including formation of adherens-like contacts, cell polarization and morphogenetic processes) since there is no rescue when E-cadherin-specific antibodies are present during phytohaemagglutinin-mediated aggregation and subsequent culture. In blocked embryos, the distribution of microtubules is disturbed and concomitantly mitochondria cluster around the nucleus. Rescue by aggregation retains normal mitochondrial distribution in the presence of a dense microtubular lattice in all blastomeres. Therefore, E-cadherin-mediated signalling and its downstream effects on cytoskeletal organization are essential in the rescue of blocking embryos by aggregation. Normal preimplantation development appears to be dependent on the polarized expression of surface E-cadherin and the microtubule-mediated dispersal of mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- I E Neganova
- Laboratory of Cell Morphology, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
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