ISSN:
1040-452X
Keywords:
Blastocyst
;
Embryo
;
Embryonic development
;
In vitro fertilization
;
Trophectoderm
;
Trophoblast interferon
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Bovine embryos, whether produced naturally or by in vitro techniques, exhibit considerable variability in morphological quality and develop at different rates. Our objectives have been to determine whether initial expression of trophoblast interferon (IFN-τ) was a reflection of conceptus stage of development or age and whether there was an effect of embryo quality on the amount of IFN-τ produced. Early blastocysts (N =187) were selected at the onset of blastocoele formation and cultured individually. Embryo quality (excellent, good, or fair: E, G, or F) and developmental stage (early, expanded and hatched blastocysts: BL, EBL, and HBL, respectively) were used in a 3 x 3 factorial complete randomized block design, each block (n = 4) consisting of batches of embryos produced from oocytes in different collections. Quality and developmental stage of embryos and IFN-τ released into the medium were assessed every 24 h. Production of IFN-τ (units/embryo/24 h) was greater (P 〈 0.01) among hatched blastocysts (HBL; 0.91 ± 0.08) than expanded blastocysts (EBL; 0.23 ± 0.04) and early blastocysts (BL; 0.05 ± 0.08). Embryos of similar developmental stage but differing by 2 days in age released equal amounts of IFN-τ. Expression of antiviral activity increased (P 〈 0.05) from 27% to 57% to 100% as development proceeded from BL to EBL and to HBL respectively. More IFN-τ was produced by HBL graded G (1.0 ± 0.1) or E (1.3 ± 0.1) than by those of F quality (0.5 ± 0.1). All blastocysts, whatever their quality and developmental stage, contained IFN-± mRNA. Therefore, developmental stage and quality of the embryos significantly influence the expression of IFN-±. The amount produced may be a useful objective indicator of embryo quality. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1080360102
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