scholarly journals Simultaneous gene quantitation of multiple genes in individual bovine nuclear transfer blastocysts

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Smith ◽  
Debbie Berg ◽  
Sue Beaumont ◽  
Neil T Standley ◽  
David N Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Multiple Genes

During somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT), the transcriptional status of the donor cell has to be reprogrammed to reflect that of an embryo. We analysed the accuracy of this process by comparing transcript levels of four developmentally important genes (Oct4,Otx2,Ifitm3,GATA6), a gene involved in epigenetic regulation (Dnmt3a) and three housekeeping genes (β-actin, β-tubulinandGAPDH) in 21 NT blastocysts with that in genetically half-identicalin vitroproduced (IVP,n=19) andin vivo(n=15) bovine embryos. We have optimised an RNA-isolation and SYBR-green-based real-time RT-PCR procedure allowing the reproducible absolute quantification of multiple genes from a single blastocyst. Our data indicated that transcript levels did not differ significantly between stage and grade-matched zona-free NT and IVP embryos except for Ifitm3/Fragilis, which was expressed at twofold higher levels in NT blastocysts.Ifitm3expression is confined to the inner cell mass at day 7 blastocysts and to the epiblast in day 14 embryos. No ectopic expression in the trophectoderm was seen in NT embryos. Gene expression in NTand IVP embryos increased between two- and threefold for all eight genes from early to late blastocyst stages. This increase exceeded the increase in cell number over this time period indicating an increase in transcript number per cell. Embryo quality (morphological grading) was correlated to cell number for NT and IVP embryos with grade 3 blastocysts containing 30% fewer cells. However, only NT embryos displayed a significant reduction in gene expression (50%) with loss of quality. Variability in gene expression levels was not significantly different in NT, IVP orin vivoembryos but differed among genes, suggesting that the stringency of regulation is intrinsic to a gene and not affected by culture or nuclear transfer.Oct4levels exhibited the lowest variability. Analysing the total variability of all eight genes for individual embryos revealed thatin vivoembryos resembled each other much more than did NT and IVP blastocysts. Furthermore,in vivoembryos, consisting of 1.5-fold more cells, generally contained two- to fourfold more transcripts for the eight genes than did their cultured counterparts. Thus, culture conditions (in vivoversusin vitro) have greater effects on gene expression than does nuclear transfer when minimising genetic heterogeneity.

The preimplantation pig embryo: cell number and allocation to trophectoderm and inner cell mass of the blastocyst in vivo and in vitro

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 793-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.E. Papaioannou ◽  
K.M. Ebert
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Differential Staining ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Total Cell Number

Total cell number as well as differential cell numbers representing the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm were determined by a differential staining technique for preimplantation pig embryos recovered between 5 and 8 days after the onset of oestrus. Total cell number increased rapidly over this time span and significant effects were found between embryos of the same chronological age from different females. Inner cells could be detected in some but not all embryos of 12–16 cells. The proportion of inner cells was low in morulae but increased during differentiation of ICM and trophectoderm in early blastocysts. The proportion of ICM cells then decreased as blastocysts expanded and hatched. Some embryos were cultured in vitro and others were transferred to the oviducts of immature mice as a surrogate in vivo environment and assessed for morphology and cell number after several days. Although total cell number did not reach in vivo levels, morphological development and cell number increase was sustained better in the immature mice than in vitro. The proportion of ICM cells in blastocysts formed in vitro was in the normal range.

15 HISTONE ACETYLATION PROFILE OF PORCINE EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY 2 CLONING METHODS WITH OR WITHOUT IN VITRO CULTURE

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Y. Liu ◽  
A. Lucas-Hahn ◽  
B. Petersen ◽  
R. Li ◽  
D. Hermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Cloning Method

Conventional “Dolly”-based cloned (CNT) embryos maintain zona pellucida and can be transferred early in development. Handmade cloned (HMC) embryos are zona free and are cultured to later stages for transfer. We have shown differences between HMC and CNT embryos (Rep. Fert. Dev. 26, 123), and both in vitro culture and cloning method (NT) are associated with alterations in histone acetylation. More studies are needed to clarify whether CNT and HMC embryos differ in epigenetic profiles due to NT method or culture condition. Here we investigated histone acetylation profile of NT embryos produced by CNT or HMC with or without 5 to 6 days in vitro culture, emphasising quality and gene expression in resulting embryos. Both NT methods were performed on Day 0 (D0) with same oocyte batch, donor cells, and culture medium (CNT in group, HMC in well of well). On D0, 5, and 6 after CNT (Clon. Stem Cells 10, 355) or HMC (Zygote 20, 61), all developed embryos of all morphological qualities were collected for immunostaining of H3K18ac, and on D0 and 6 for mRNA expression of the genes KAT2A/2B, EP300, HDAC1/2, DNMT1o/s, and GAPDH. Embryo quality was evaluated normal (clear inner cell mass, high cell number, no fragments) or bad (no clear inner cell mass, low cell number, fragments). Cell numbers per blastocyst were counted on D5 and 6. Differences in cell number and H3K18ac level between different groups and days were analysed by ANOVA; gene expression data were analysed by GLM (SAS version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Embryo development rates of both NT methods were reported previously (Rep. Fert. Dev. 26, 123). On D5 and 6, all HMC embryos were evaluated as normal, but the CNT group contained both normal and bad embryos. Regarding cell numbers (Table 1), on D5 there was no difference between normal CNT and HMC embryos, but numbers were lower in CNT bad embryos. On D6 the blastocyst cell number was lower in both normal and bad CNT embryos compared with HMC. Regarding H3K18ac levels (Table 1), no differences were found on D5 between normal CNT and HMC embryos, but on D6 both CNT normal and bad embryos had higher H3K18ac level compared with HMC. On D0, no difference was found in mRNA expression of all 8 genes. On D6, KAT2A expression was slight increased (1.8-fold) in CNT compared with HMC embryos (P < 0.05). In conclusion, no differences were found between CNT and HMC embryos after completed NT procedure (D0) or after 5 days in vitro culture. However, differences in quality (cell number and H3K18ac) and gene expression between the 2 NT methods were observed when blastocyst expansion was initiated (D6). Thus, the 2 NT methods seem to produce embryos of similar quality, which is maintained over 5 days in vitro culture, but thereafter gene expression and histone acetylation are more active in CNT embryos. Table 1.Cell number and H3K18ac level1

scholarly journals Oct4 regulates embryonic pluripotency via metabolic mechanisms and Stat3 signalling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliano Giuseppe Stirparo ◽  
Agata Kurowski ◽  
Stanley Eugene Strawbridge ◽  
Hannah Stuart ◽  
Thorsten Edwin Boroviak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Single Cell ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
List Type ◽  
Early Mouse

AbstractOCT4 is a fundamental component of the molecular circuitry governing pluripotency in vivo and in vitro. To determine how OCT4 protects the pluripotent lineage from differentiation into trophoblast, we used single cell transcriptomics and quantitative immunofluorescence on blastocysts and established differentially expressed genes and pathways between control and OCT4 null cells. Activation of most pluripotency-associated transcription factors in the early mouse inner cell mass appears independent of OCT4, whereas JAK/STAT signalling requires OCT4, via activation of IL6ST. Single cell deconvolution, diffusion component and trajectory inference dissected the process of differentiation of OCT4 null cells by activating specific gene-network and transcription factors. Downregulation of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism was observed. CHIPseq analysis suggests OCT4 directly targets rate-limiting glycolytic enzymes. Concomitant with significant disruption of the STAT3 pathway, oxidative respiration is significantly diminished in OCT4 null cells. Upregulation of the lysosomal pathway detected in OCT4 null embryos is likely attributable to aberrant metabolism.Highlights and noveltyMajor pluripotency-associated transcription factors are activated in OCT4-deficient early mouse ICM cells, coincident with ectopic expression of trophectoderm markersJAK/STAT signalling is defective in OCT4 null embryosOCT4 promotes expression of KATS enzymes by means of glycolytic production of Acetyl CoA to secure chromatin accessibility for acquisition of epiblast identityOCT4 regulates the metabolic and biophysical processes required for establishment of embryonic pluripotency

scholarly journals MCRS1 is essential for epiblast development during early mouse embryogenesis

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 159 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Cui ◽  
Agnes Cheong ◽  
Yongsheng Wang ◽  
Yuran Tsuchida ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Histone H4 ◽  
Histone H4 Acetylation ◽  
Early Mouse

Microspherule protein 1 (MCRS1, also known as MSP58) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that has been implicated in various biological processes. Although a variety of functions have been attributed to MCRS1 in vitro, mammalian MCRS1 has not been studied in vivo. Here we report that MCRS1 is essential during early murine development. Mcrs1 mutant embryos exhibit normal morphology at the blastocyst stage but cannot be recovered at gastrulation, suggesting an implantation failure. Outgrowth (OG) assays reveal that mutant blastocysts do not form a typical inner cell mass (ICM) colony, the source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Surprisingly, cell death and histone H4 acetylation analysis reveal that apoptosis and global H4 acetylation are normal in mutant blastocysts. However, analysis of lineage specification reveals that while the trophoblast and primitive endoderm are properly specified, the epiblast lineage is compromised and exhibits a severe reduction in cell number. In summary, our study demonstrates the indispensable role of MCRS1 in epiblast development during early mammalian embryogenesis.

scholarly journals 127APOPTOSIS IN BOVINE BLASTOCYSTS FROM FIVE DIFFERENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
J.O. Gjørret ◽  
P. Maddox-Hyttel
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Embryo Cell ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Tunel Reaction

Regulation of apoptosis may be affected by factors during preimplantation development, and this is possibly related to embryo developmental potential. Here we investigate differences in the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in Day 7 bovine blastocysts produced by two different in vivo and three different in vitro methods. In vivo embryos were produced either by a regular superovulation procedure (reg group; n=29; Laurincik et al., 2003, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65, 73–85), or by postponement of the LH surge (pp group; n=35; van de Leemput et al., 2001, Therio. 55, 573–592). In vitro embryos were derived from systems using either co-culture (cc group; n=30, Avery and Greve 2000, Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55, 438–445), or culture in synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) with (S+group; n=35) or without serum (S− group; n=38; Holm et al., 1999, Theriogenology, 52, 683–700). Embryos were collected at approx. 168h post ovulation/insemination and subjected to chromatin staining and detection of DNA degradation by TUNEL reaction. The total number of nuclei, number of nuclei displaying apoptotic morphology (+M), number of nuclei displaying TUNEL reaction (+T), and number of nuclei displaying both markers simultaneously (M&amp;T) were scored according to J.O. Gjørret et al. (2003 Biol. Reprod. 69. in press). Only M&amp;T nuclei were regarded as apoptotic, and +M, +T, and apoptotic (M&amp;T) indices (%) were calculated for the trophoblast (tb), inner cell mass (i) and the total blastocysts (t) in each group. Significant differences were observed for all parameters when all groups were compared (ANOVA, P ranging from 0.024 to&lt;0.0001). Highest number of total nuclei were observed in the S+ group, whereas the lowest indices were observed in the pp group, which had significant lower indices in the i and t than in the reg., S+ and S− groups P&lt;0.05; Tukey’s post test for ANOVA). Highest indices were generally observed in the S− group. The results demonstrate that not only embryo cell numbers but also incidences of apoptotic markers are affected by the mode of production. However, in Day 7 bovine blastocysts high cell number is not consistent with a low incidence of apoptosis. Even though cell numbers appeared comparable in the two in vivo groups, their incidences of apoptosis were different, and the reg group displayed indices comparable to the in vitro groups, highlighting the importance of ovulation protocols when in vivo embryos are used as reference material in general. Table 1

scholarly journals Development of Preimplantation Mouse Embryos in vivo and in vitro

1982 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Harlow ◽  
P Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Preimplantation Mouse ◽  
Development In Vitro

The culture conditions for the development in vitro of (C57BL/6 X CBA) F2 hybrid two-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage have been optimized. Commercially available pre-sterile disposable plastic culture dishes supported more reliable development than re-usable washed glass tubes. The presence of an oil layer reduced the variability in development. An average of 85 % of blastocysts developed from hybrid two-cell embryos cultured in drops of Whitten's medium under oil in plastic culture dishes in an atmosphere of 5% O2 : 5% CO2 : 90% N2 ? The time taken for the total cell number to double in embryos developing in vivo was 10 h, and in cultured embryos 17 h. Embryos cultured in vitro from the two-cell stage to blastocyst stage were retarded by 18-24 h in comparison with those remaining in vivo. Day-4 blastocysts in vivo contained 25-70 cells (mean 50) with 7-28 (mean 16) of these in the inner cell mass. Cultured blastocysts contained 19-73 cells (mean 44) with 8-34 (mean 19) of these in the inner cell mass. In the uterine environment, inner-cell-mass blastomeres divided at a faster rate than trophectoderm blastomeres and it is suggested that a long cell cycle is associated with terminal differentiation. Although cultured blastocysts and inner cell masses contained the same number of cells as blastocysts and inner cell masses in vivo, the rate of cell division in cultured inner cell masses was markedly reduced.

scholarly journals 71 DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY OF PRE-IMPLANTATION OVINE IN VITRO CULTURED AND SOMATIC CELL NUCLEAR TRANSFER EMBRYOS

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
P. Tveden-Nyborg ◽  
T. Peura ◽  
K. Hartwich ◽  
P. Maddox-Hyttel
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Developmental Delay ◽  
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Germ Layers ◽  
Visceral Mesoderm

Despite advances in the production of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, significant embryo losses are persistent, particularly around implantation. Malformations of the placenta and in a variety of organs are seen, and have been linked to deviant epigenetic reprogramming. The aim of the present study was to examine the formation of germ layers, which are prerequisites for formation of the embryo proper and placenta, in invivo-derived (in vivo), partly in vitro-cultured (IVC), and SCNT ovine embryos. Embryos were derived as follows: In vivo embryos (n = 27) were flushed from the uterus on Days 7, 9, 11, and 13. For IVC embryos (n = 22) in vivo zygotes were flushed, followed by culture in the presence of 20% human serum, transfer to the uterus on Day 6, and flushing as in vivo embryos. SCNT embryos (n = 41) were produced by fusion of serum starved granulosa cells with enucleated oocytes, followed by activation, culture in SOF, transfer to the uterus on Day 6, and flushing as described for in vivo embryos. Recovered embryos were processed for light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and paraffin sections were immunohistochemically labelled for the germ layers: alpha-1-fetoprotein for potential endoderm, cytokeratin-8 for potential ectoderm, and vimentin for potential mesoderm. A consistent delay of the IVC and particularly the SCNT embryos was noted throughout all time points: On Days 7 and 9, differentiation of the inner cell mass into hypoblast and epiblast was evident in 7 out of 12 in vivo embryos, whereas this phenomenon was less prominent or absent in 9 out of 13 IVC and 13 out of 15 SCNT embryos. Furthermore, 6 of the IVC and 12 of the SCNT embryos lacked an identifiable embryonic disc. On Day 11, half of the in vivo embryos had initiated gastrulation, evidenced by localization of endoderm and mesoderm precursor cells between the hypoblast and the epiblast. This feature was noted in only a single IVC and in none of the SCNT embryos. On Day 13, all in vivo embryos had completed gastrulation including the formation of somatic and visceral mesoderm. This feature was noted in only 1 out of 3 IVC and in none of the SCNT embryos. Likewise, amniotic folds were seen in one third of the in vivo embryos at this stage, but not observed in any IVC or SCNT embryos. The immunohistochemical markers displayed the same cell lineage localization in all three groups of embryos, but a developmental delay in the IVC and in particular the SCNT embryos was evident. In conclusion, ovine IVC and SCNT embryos develop at a slower rate than in vivo embryos at least up until Day 13 of gestation.

scholarly journals Effect of in vitro fertilization on gene expression and development of mouse preimplantation embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gnanaratnam Giritharan ◽  
Said Talbi ◽  
Annemarie Donjacour ◽  
Francesca Di Sebastiano ◽  
Anthony T Dobson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Gene Expression Pattern ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Trophoblastic Cells

In vitro culture (IVC) of preimplantation mouse embryos is associated with changes in gene expression. It is however, not known if the method of fertilization affects the global pattern of gene expression. We compared gene expression and development of mouse blastocysts produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) versus blastocysts fertilized in vivo and cultured in vitro from the zygote stage (IVC) versus control blastocysts flushed out of the uterus on post coital day 3.5. The global pattern of gene expression was assessed using the Affymetrix 430 2.0 chip. It appears that each method of fertilization has a unique pattern of gene expression and development. Embryos cultured in vitro had a reduction in the number of trophoblastic cells (IVF 33.5 cells, IVC 39.9 cells, and 49.6 cells in the in vivo group) and, to a lesser degree, of inner cell mass cells (12.8, 11.7, and 13.8 respectively). The inner cell mass nuclei were larger after culture in vitro (140 μm2, 113 μm2, and 86 μm2 respectively). Although a high number of genes (1912) was statistically different in the IVF cohort when compared with the in vivo control embryos, the magnitude of the changes in gene expression were low and only a minority of genes (29 genes) was changed more than fourfold. Surprisingly, IVF embryos were different from IVC embryos (3058 genes were statistically different, but only three changed more than fourfold). Proliferation, apoptosis, and morphogenetic pathways are the most common pathways altered after IVC. Overall, IVF and embryo culture have a profound effect on gene expression pattern and phenotype of mouse preimplantation embryos.

Immunosurgical studies on Inner cell mass development in rat and mouse blastocysts before and during implantation in vitro

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-269
Author(s):  
Horst Spielmann ◽  
Ursula Jacob-Müller ◽  
Werner Beckord
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
C57bl Mouse ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Rabbit Complement

Eighty per cent of rat blastocysts (Wistar, SW72) cultured for 96 h in NCTC-109 supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) hatched from the zona pellucida and developed a trophoblast giant cell layer. Thirty seven per cent of the rat blastocysts developed an inner cell mass (ICM) which, in about 7 %, consisted of two germ layers (ectoderm and endoderm), compared to 84% in NMRI mice. A significantly better ICM development was obtained with cultured rat blastocysts that had hatched in vivo. Similar to the in vivo situation LDH-5 was present in rat blastocysts after implantation in NCTC-109-FCS. Differentiation of C57BL mouse blastocysts in NCTC-109-FCS proceeded as poorly as in the rat. ICM development of rat and mouse blastocysts in NCTC-109-FCS was studied in detail. ICMs of the two species were isolated immunosurgically using complement from different species, e.g. human, rat and rabbit complement, since guinea-pig complement did not lyse trophectoderm cells of rat blastocysts. All immunosurgically isolated rat ICMs degenerated within 48 h, but mouse ICMs isolated with rat or rabbit complement developed significantly better than mouse ICMs isolated with guinea-pig complement. Determinations of theblastocyst total cell number (BTCN) and of the cell number of immunosurgically isolated ICMs were performed in rat and mouse blastocysts to investigate growth kinetics of the ICM before implantation in vitro. In the mouse an exponential increase in both BTCN and cell number of the ICM was observed during the 48 h before implantation in NCTC-109-FCS and also during the 16-24 h before implantation in vivo. In the rat, doubling of the BTCN was found only during the first 24 h in NCTC-109-FCS and there was hardly any increase in the cell number of the ICM during the first 48 h in culture. ICM growth of blastocysts in NCTC-109-FCS is, therefore, stimulated in the mouse before and after implantation and. in the rat it is inhibited already before implantation.

scholarly journals Loss of RBBP4 results in defective inner cell mass, severe apoptosis, hyperacetylated histones and preimplantation lethality in mice†

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaosu Miao ◽  
Tieqi Sun ◽  
Holly Barletta ◽  
Jesse Mager ◽  
Wei Cui
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Blastocyst Stage ◽  
Lineage Specification ◽  
Mouse Embryo Development ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Early Mouse

Abstract Retinoblastoma-binding protein 4 (RBBP4) (also known as chromatin-remodeling factor RBAP48) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that has been involved in various biological processes. Although a variety of functions have been attributed to RBBP4 in vitro, mammalian RBBP4 has not been studied in vivo. Here we report that RBBP4 is essential during early mouse embryo development. Although Rbbp4 mutant embryos exhibit normal morphology at E3.5 blastocyst stage, they cannot be recovered at E7.5 early post-gastrulation stage, suggesting an implantation failure. Outgrowth (OG) assays reveal that mutant blastocysts cannot hatch from the zona or can hatch but then arrest without further development. We find that while there is no change in proliferation or levels of reactive oxygen species, both apoptosis and histone acetylation are significantly increased in mutant blastocysts. Analysis of lineage specification reveals that while the trophoblast is properly specified, both epiblast and primitive endoderm lineages are compromised with severe reductions in cell number and/or specification. In summary, these findings demonstrate the essential role of RBBP4 during early mammalian embryogenesis.

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