Cover Photograph: Hippo signaling controls cell fates in preimplantation mouse embryos. Slightly different mechanisms operate in regulation of Hippo signaling between 16-cell stage and early blastocyst stage with more than 32 cells. Panels show the confoc

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. i-i
Keyword(s):  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Hippo Signaling ◽  
Cell Fates ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse

scholarly journals Changes in responsiveness of preimplantation mouse embryos to serum

Development ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 295-301
Author(s):  
Simon B. Fishel ◽  
M. Azim H. Surani
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Serum ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Serum Albumen

Changes in uptake of radioactive uridine and its incorporation into RNA were determined in preimplantation mouse embryos, from the 2-cell to the blastocyst stage, as a measure of their responsiveness to extracellular conditions. Two media were tested, one contained serum and the other contained bovine serum albumen as a control. An increase in the acid-soluble pool occurred at the 8-cell stage and a marked increase in RNA synthesis occurred at the early blastocyst stage when the embryos were incubated with serum.

Platelet activating factor (PAF) enhances mitosis in preimplantation mouse embryos

1993 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Roberts ◽  
C O'Neill ◽  
L Wright
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Index ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Web 2086

Preimplantation mouse embryos were used to determine whether the reported significant increase in embryo metabolism and viability achieved through supplementation of the culture medium with the ether phospholipid 1-o-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline (platelet activating factor, PAF) is attributable to an enhanced rate of mitosis. Blastocyst-stage embryos cultured in the presence of 0.186 to 18.6 microM exogenous PAF had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher mitotic index (the proportion of cells arrested in metaphase following incubation in colchicine) than those cultured without PAF. At the 8-cell stage, 29% more blastomeres were in metaphase in the PAF-treated group (P < 0.01) 8 h after the addition of colchicine, but by 16 h there was no difference between groups; thus, PAF increased the rate at which cells entered metaphase but did not increase the total number. The mitotic index showed a negative correlation with the number of cells within blastocysts. PAF had a significantly (P < 0.01) greater impact on the mitotic index of blastocysts with fewer cells. The action of PAF was specific, being completely blocked by the PAF-receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (33 microM). In the absence of exogenous PAF the mitotic index was lower with WEB 2086 than without, suggesting inhibition of the action of endogenous embryo-derived PAF. These results show that PAF stimulates the rates at which cells within the preimplantation mouse embryo enter metaphase in vitro and suggest that it would decrease their doubling time, perhaps accounting for the embryotrophic actions of PAF.

Human Adenovirus Uptake by Preirnplantation Mouse Embryos

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 268-269
Author(s):  
D. G. Chase ◽  
W. Winters ◽  
L. Piko
Keyword(s):  
Hela Cells ◽  
Human Adenovirus ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Equilibrium Density ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Virus Attachment ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Embryo Culture Medium ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Mouse Cells

Although the outlines of human adenovirus entry and uncoating in HeLa cells has been clarified in recent electron microscope studies, several details remain unclear or controversial. Furthermore, morphological features of early interactions of human adenovirus with non-permissive mouse cells have not been extensively documented. In the course of studies on the effects of human adenoviruses type 5 (AD-5) and type 12 on cultured preimplantation mouse embryos we have examined virus attachment, entry and uncoating. Here we present the ultrastructural findings for AD-5.AD-5 was grown in HeLa cells and purified by successive velocity gradient and equilibrium density gradient centrifugations in CsCl. After dialysis against PBS, virus was sedimented and resuspended in embryo culture medium. Embryos were placed in culture at the 2-cell stage in Brinster's medium.

Normal adenylate ribonucleotide content in mouse embryos homozygous for the t12 mutation

Development ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Horst Spielmann ◽  
Robert P. Erickson
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Normal Values ◽  
Firefly Luciferase ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse

The recently improved firefly luciferase assay was used to determine ATP, ADP or AMP in single preimplantation mouse embryos from crosses yielding lethal t12/t12 embryos. Normal values of the three adenylate ribonucleotides were found in freshly collected 2-cell and 4-cell embryos and during in vitro culture to the blastocyst stage. A decrease in adenylate ribonucleotide content was seen in putative t12/t12 embryos only when they were degenerating.

Cyclooxygenases and prostaglandin E synthases in preimplantation mouse embryos

Zygote ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Ning Tan ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Hong-Lu Diao ◽  
Zeng-Ming Yang
Keyword(s):  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
High Level ◽  
Cox 1

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is shown to be essential for female reproduction. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid and exists in two isoforms: COX-1 and COX-2. Prostaglandin E synthase (PGES) is a terminal prostanoid synthase and can catalyse the isomerization of the COX product PGH2 to PGE2, including microsomal PGES-1 (mPGES-1), cytosolic PGES (cPGES) and mPGES-2. This study examined the protein expression of COX-1, COX-2, mPGES-1, cPGES and mPGES-2 in preimplantation mouse embryos by immunohistochemistry. Embryos at different stages collected from oviducts or uteri were transferred into a flushed oviduct of non-pregnant mice. The oviducts containing embryos were paraffin-embedded and processed for immunostaining. COX-1 immunostaining was at a basal level in zygotes and a low level at the 2-cell stage, reaching a high level from the 4-cell to blastocyst stage. COX-2 immunostaining was at a low level at the zygote stage and was maintained at a high level from the 2-cell to blastocyst stages. A low level of mPGES-1 immunostaining was observed from the zygote to 8-cell stages. The signal for mPGES-1 immunostaining became stronger at the morula stage and was strongly seen at the blastocyst stage. cPGES immunostaining was strongly observed in zygotes, 2-cell and 8-cell embryos. There was a slight decrease in cPGES immunostaining at the 4-cell, morula and blastocyst stages. mPGES-2 immunostaining was at a low level from the zygote to morula stages and at a high level at the blastocyst stage. We found that the COX-1, COX-2, mPGES-1, cPGES and mPGES-2 protein signals were all at a high level at the blastocyst stage. PGE2 produced during the preimplantation development may play roles during embryo transport and implantation.

Cell membrane regions in preimplantation mouse embryos

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102
Author(s):  
L. Izquierdo ◽  
T. López ◽  
P. Marticorena
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Cell Membrane ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Enzyme Reaction ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Cortical System ◽  
Crystalloid Bodies

Cell membrane regions characterized by alkaline phosphatase activity are described in cleaving mouse embryos and early blastocysts. Enzyme activity is demonstrated by light and electron microscopy, from the late 4-cell stage onwards, on the cell surfaces between blastomeres but not on the outer surface of the embryo. Experiments with dissociated morulae show that this is probably not an artifact due to the retention of the enzyme reaction product between the blastomeres. With the electron microscope the activity is also demonstrated in crystalloid bodies within the cytoplasm. The localization and growth during cleavage of cell membrane regions with enzyme activity is interpreted as the result of new cell membrane formation and/or as a relation of the crystalloid bodies with the cell membrane through the cortical system of microtubules and filaments.

Disruption of the cytokeratin filament network in the preimplantation mouse embryo

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-234
Author(s):  
J.A. Emerson
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Embryo ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Trophectoderm Cells ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryo ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Morula Stage ◽  
Cytokeratin Filaments

The distribution of the cytokeratin network in the intact preimplantation mouse embryo and the role of cytokeratin filaments in trophectoderm differentiation were investigated by means of whole-mount indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and microinjection of anti-cytokeratin antibody. Assembled cytokeratin filaments were detected in some blastomeres as early as the compacted 8-cell stage. The incidence and organization of cytokeratin filaments increased during the morula stage, although individual blastomeres varied in their content of assembled filaments. At the blastocyst stage, each trophectoderm cell contained an intricate network of cytokeratin filaments, and examination of sectioned blastocysts confirmed that extensive arrays of cytokeratin filaments were restricted to cells of the trophectoderm. Microinjection of anticytokeratin antibody into individual mural trophectoderm cells of expanded blastocysts resulted in a dramatic rearrangement of the cytokeratin network in these cells. Moreover, antibody injection into 2-cell embryos inhibited assembly of the cytokeratin network during the next two days of development. Despite this disruption of cytokeratin assembly, the injected embryos compacted and developed into blastocysts with normal morphology and nuclear numbers. These results suggest that formation of an elaborate cytokeratin network in preimplantation mouse embryos is unnecessary for the initial stages of trophectoderm differentiation resulting in blastocyst formation.

The effect of microtubule- and microfilament-disrupting drugs on preimplantation mouse embryos

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
G. Siracusa ◽  
D. G. Whittingham ◽  
M. De Felici
Keyword(s):  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Blastocyst Formation ◽  
Multipolar Spindles ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse Embryos ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Continuous Presence

The sensitivity of early preimplantation mouse embryos to drugs which disrupt microfilament function (cytochalasin B-CB and cytochalasin D-CD) and microtubule assembly (colchicine, colcemid, vinblastine and griseofulvin) was examined. CD inhibited cleavage at a concentration 35-fold lower than CB (3 × 10−7 M ν. 1 × 10−5 M). Treatment of 2-cell embryos for 6 h with 1 × 10−5 M CB or 1 × 10−6 M CD or continuous exposure to lower concentrations of CB or CD did not affect development to the blastocyst stage in vitro. Vinblastine inhibited cleavage at a concentration tenfold lower than colcemid or colchicine (1 × 10−8 M ν. 1 × 10−7 M). The continuous presence of colcemid at 10−8 M did not affect the development of 2-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage, but development was reduced with vinblastine at 1 × 10−8 M and completely inhibited with colchicine at 1 × 10−8 M. The drugs produced similar responses when 2-cell embryos were treated for 6 h with concentrations that inhibited cleavage. Complete inhibition of cleavage was obtained after only a 2 h exposure to 2 × 10−7 M colchicine. A similar concentration of lumicolchicine did not affect cleavage or blastocyst formation. Embryos were less sensitive to griseofulvin; the first cleavage division was unaffected by concentrations as high as 3 × 10−4 M and only 50% of 2-cell embryos failed to cleave in 1 × 10 1 and 3 × 10−4 M griseofulvin. At these concentrations a small proportion of 1-cell embryos and the majority of the 2-cell embryos showed unequal cytoplasmic division probably caused by the formation of multipolar spindles. The continuous exposure of 2-cell embryos to 3 × 10−5 M griseofulvin did not affect blastocyst formation.

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