Amphiregulin promotes the proliferation of trophoblast cells during preimplantation development of porcine embryos

Theriogenology. 2009 Nov;72(8):1023-31. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.05.021. Epub 2009 Sep 3.

Abstract

Our objective was to investigate the effects of in vitro culture (IVC) medium supplemented with amphiregulin (AREG) on the preimplantation embryonic development of porcine (Genus: Sus domestica, Species: Landrace) embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and parthenogenetic activation (PA). In vitro fertilization and PA embryos at the 1-cell stage were cultured in IVC medium supplemented with 0, 0.5, 5, or 50 ng/mL AREG for 7 d. There were significantly greater total numbers of cells in blastocysts of IVF and PA embryos cultured with 50 ng/mL AREG compared with that of controls. In vitro fertilization and PA embryos were then cultured in NCSU-23 medium supplemented with 50 ng/mL AREG on Days 1 through 7, Days 1 through 3 (early stage), or Days 4 through 7 (late stage), or without AREG. There were significantly greater numbers of trophoblast cells in the late-stage and full-term groups of IVF and PA embryos than in the early-stage and control groups. The presence of AREG protein in IVF-derived blastocysts was detected using a polyclonal AREG antibody and indirect immunofluorescence. Amphiregulin protein was localized in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we detected the expression of AREG mRNA in all developmental stages of IVF and PA embryos; however, the expression level varied according to stage. Thus, the incubation of porcine IVF and PA embryos in AREG-supplemented culture medium mainly at the late preimplantation stage increases the numbers of trophoblast cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphiregulin
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Culture Media
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Embryo Culture Techniques*
  • Embryonic Development / drug effects*
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycoproteins / pharmacology*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / analysis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Swine*
  • Trophoblasts / drug effects*
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Amphiregulin
  • Culture Media
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger