Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 7, No. 11, 1047-1056,
November 2001
© 2001 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Embryology |
Quantification of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) mRNA expression in mouse preimplantation embryos and determination of TGFß receptor (type I and type II) expression in mouse embryos and reproductive tract
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and 2 Department of Zoology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Abstract
We hypothesized that transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) and its receptors play a role in the interaction between the preimplantation embryo and the reproductive tract. To investigate this hypothesis, TGFß 1 mRNA in mouse embryos was quantified by competitive reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction using an RNA mimic. TGFß 1 was first detected in the unfertilized oocyte, disappeared after fertilization and was expressed again at the 2-cell stage (4410 ± 1330 transcripts/embryo). Its expression increased gradually, peaked at the 8-cell stage (58 600 ± 17 300 transcripts/embryo) and declined rapidly after the morula stage reaching a concentration of 1520 ± 546 transcripts/embryo at the blastocyst stage. The mRNA levels of TGFß 1 at the 8-cell and morula stages were significantly higher than that at other cell stages (P < 0.05). The expression of TGF receptors in embryos and in the reproductive tract was also investigated. Both TGFß1 type I (ALK-5) and type II TGFß receptors were detected in embryos from 1-cell to blastocyst stage by immunohistochemistry. Northern hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed a constant expression of both TGFß receptors in the oviduct from day 1 to day 4 of pregnancy, whilst in the uterus there was a marked increase in the expression of TGFß type I receptor on day 3. Expression of TGFß type II receptor in the uterus remained unaltered throughout the study period. This study has shown that preimplantation mouse embryos produce TGFß1 and that both the embryos and the reproductive tract are responsive to TGFß1 in the preimplantation period.
embryo/oviduct/receptor/TGFß1/uterus
Notes
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. E-mail: wsbyeung{at}hkucc.hku.hk
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
R. Kitamura, T. Takahashi, N. Nakajima, K. Isodono, S. Asada, H. Ueno, T. Ueyama, T. Yoshikawa, H. Matsubara, and H. Oh Stage-Specific Role of Endogenous Smad2 Activation in Cardiomyogenesis of Embryonic Stem Cells Circ. Res., July 6, 2007; 101(1): 78 - 87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. C. Dimayuga, X. Zhao, J. Yano, and K.-Y. Chyu Changes in immune responses to oxidized LDL epitopes during aging in hypercholesterolemic apoE(-/-) mice Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, December 1, 2006; 291(6): R1644 - R1650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. L Jones, C. Stoikos, J. K Findlay, and L. A Salamonsen TGF-{beta} superfamily expression and actions in the endometrium and placenta. Reproduction, August 1, 2006; 132(2): 217 - 232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. V. Ingman, R. L. Robker, K. Woittiez, and S. A. Robertson Null Mutation in Transforming Growth Factor {beta}1 Disrupts Ovarian Function and Causes Oocyte Incompetence and Early Embryo Arrest Endocrinology, February 1, 2006; 147(2): 835 - 845. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K.-F. Lee, J.-S. Xu, Y.-L. Lee, and W. S. B. Yeung Demilune Cell and Parotid Protein from Murine Oviductal Epithelium Stimulates Preimplantation Embryo Development Endocrinology, January 1, 2006; 147(1): 79 - 87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. G. Petrich, B. C. Eloff, D. L. Lerner, A. Kovacs, J. E. Saffitz, D. S. Rosenbaum, and Y. Wang Targeted Activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase in Vivo Induces Restrictive Cardiomyopathy and Conduction Defects J. Biol. Chem., April 9, 2004; 279(15): 15330 - 15338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K.-F. Lee, W. S.B. Yeung, J. F.C. Chow, C. K. Shum, and J. M. Luk Different Testicular Gene Expression Patterns in the First Spermatogenic Cycle of Postnatal and Vitamin A-Deficient Rat Testis Biol Reprod, April 1, 2004; 70(4): 1010 - 1017. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||





