Apoptosis and In Vitro Development of Preimplantation Porcine Embryos Derived In Vitro or by Nuclear Transfer

Apoptosis occurs during preimplantation development in both in vivo- and in vitro-produced embryos, and it may contribute to embryonic loss. The present study investigated the development of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos reconstructed by using fetal fibroblasts as compared to embryos produce...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2003-08, Vol.69 (2), p.501-507
Main Authors: YANHONG HAO, LIANGXUE LAI, JIUDE MAO, IM, Gi-Sun, BONK, Aaron, PRATHER, Randall S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Birth control
Blastocyst - physiology
Cell Nucleus - genetics
Embryonic and Fetal Development - physiology
Female
Fertilization in Vitro
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Medical sciences
Oocytes - growth & development
Oocytes - physiology
Pregnancy
Sterility. Assisted procreation
Swine
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Apoptosis occurs during preimplantation development in both in vivo- and in vitro-produced embryos, and it may contribute to embryonic loss. The present study investigated the development of porcine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos reconstructed by using fetal fibroblasts as compared to embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF). The onset and the frequency of apoptosis in NT and IVF embryos were examined via morphological and nuclear changes and TUNEL assay. The NT blastocysts had a similar number of nuclei as compared to IVF blastocysts and appeared to be morphologically similar. Relative to IVF embryos, the NT embryos had a lower cleavage rate (42.7% vs. 71.0%) and a lower developmental rate (11.1% vs. 28.6%) to the blastocyst stage. The earliest positive TUNEL signals were detected in the NT embryos on Day 5 of culture. The percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis in the NT embryos was higher than that of the IVF embryos and increased with time in vitro. Some of the abnormal morphological changes observed during early development related to apoptosis. Cytoplasmic fragmentation, developmental arrest, and nuclear condensation were typical characteristics of embryos undergoing apoptosis. Some mechanisms of the apoptotic pathway were triggered by changes in the NT embryos. The developmental rates of NT embryos might be improved by identifying specific apoptotic pathways and then intervening in these pathways to improve development.
ISSN:0006-3363
1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.103.016170