小鼠体外受精、胚胎培养及胚胎快速冷冻的研究

目的　为扩大胚胎来源并获取特定胚龄胚胎 ,建立小鼠冷冻胚胎库。方法　运用超数排卵、体外受精与胚胎培养及胚胎冷冻技术系统研究了小鼠受精卵的体内发育与运行规律。卵母细胞的体外成熟与受精、单细胞胚胎培养及胚胎快速冷冻。结果　 (1)注射hCG后 12～ 2 0h受精卵发育至原核期 ,4 2～ 4 8h为 2 细胞期 ,4 8～ 6 0h为 4 细胞期 ,6 0～ 6 8h为 8 细胞期 ,以上各期受精卵均处于输卵管中 ;75～ 78h为桑椹胚 ,78～ 80h为致密桑椹胚 ,90～ 92h为早期囊胚 ,92～ 96h为囊胚 ,以上各期均处于子宫角中。 (2 )培养液中添加促性腺激素 (FSH与hCG) ,能显著提高卵母细胞的体外受精率 ,添加FCS和激素组的体外受精率又显著高于单独添加激素组 ,FCS还能显著提高胚胎发育。 (3)在培养液中添加EDTA ,能有效克服小鼠胚胎的 2 细胞阻断 ,其 2 细胞胚的发育率达 10 0 % ,8 细胞胚发育率达 5 5 %以上 ;牛、羊上皮细胞培养液上清也能有效克服 2 细胞阻断。添加乳酸钠和丙酮酸钠可使 2细胞与 8细胞期胚的发育率显著提高。 (4)以D PBS +甘油 +蔗糖为冷冻液 ,以D PBS +蔗糖为稀释液 ,对小鼠胚胎进行快速冷冻 ,桑椹胚的存活率为 6 9 3% ,早期囊胚的存活率为 6 0 4 %。结论　研究为将生物技术应用于小鼠 ,扩大卵子和胚胎来源     

猪克隆胚胎激活方法优化与转人溶菌酶基因克隆猪的生产

为了提高转基因克隆效率和获得转人溶菌酶基因克隆猪,研究了不同电激活参数和化学辅助激活方法对猪克隆胚胎和孤雌胚胎体外发育的影响.结果发现:电场强度会显著影响克隆胚胎的融合率和体外发育能力(P<0.05),电脉冲次数对克隆胚胎体外发育促进作用不显著(P>0.05),而相同电激活条件下克隆胚胎和孤雌胚胎的体外发育能力变化趋势不同;电激活后再利用放线菌酮+细胞松弛素B(CHX+CB)处理4 h能显著提高克隆胚胎的囊胚率(P<0.05),而用二甲基氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP)处理没有提高克隆胚胎囊胚率(P>0.05),但6-DMAP或CHX+CB处理均可显著提高孤雌胚胎的囊胚率(P<0.05).上述结果表明,最佳的孤雌激活条件并不一定是克隆胚胎的最佳激活条件.本研究中猪克隆胚胎的最佳激活方法为1.6 kV/cm、100μs、2次直流电脉冲间隔100μs,再辅以CHX+CB处理4 h.利用优化的激活条件成功获得了乳腺特异表达人溶菌酶的转基因猪,为猪转基因育种奠定了基础.     

慢病毒载体介导的绿色荧光蛋白转基因标记法研究猪嵌合体制作

目的:通过建立慢病毒载体感染猪胚胎体系实现胚胎标记,进而研究不同发育阶段猪孤雌胚胎之间的嵌合能力,为进一步研究猪早期胚胎发育以及细胞分化奠定基础.方法:首先,通过显微注射的方法把2×109I.U./ml、2×108I.U./ml和2×107I.U./ml三个梯度的表达绿色荧光的慢病毒载体分别注射到猪1-细胞胚胎和2-细胞胚胎的透明带下,进行胚胎的GFP转基因标记,在荧光显微镜下观察比较卵裂率、阳性胚胎率、囊胚率、阳性囊胚率和囊胚细胞数.然后,采用凹窝聚合法对同步发育胚胎在不同阶段(2-细胞,4-细胞,8-细胞)进行嵌合,2-细胞胚胎与不同发育阶段(2-细胞、4-细胞、8-细胞)胚胎进行嵌合以及2-细胞胚胎卵裂球互换制作嵌合体胚胎,发育到囊胚时在荧光显微镜下检测胚胎的嵌合状态.结果:2×109I.U./ml的慢病毒感染猪2-细胞胚胎组中,体外受精和孤雌胚胎感染阳性率( 80.00％、76.36％)和阳性囊胚率(90.74％、89.56％)都显著高于其它滴度组(P＜0.05),另外,慢病毒感染的两种胚胎与对照组对卵裂率、囊胚率和囊胚细胞数三个指标没有显著影响(P＞0.05).2-细胞胚胎之间嵌合囊胚率和2-细胞卵裂球互换嵌合囊胚率( 53.85％、62.50％)显著高于2-细胞胚胎与4-细胞胚胎的嵌合率(18.60％,P＜0.05),在同步发育胚胎中8-细胞胚胎之间的嵌合率(75.00％)高于4-细胞胚胎之间和2-细胞胚胎之间的嵌合率( 65.00％、53.80％).结论:2×109I.U./ml的慢病毒感染2-细胞期胚胎效率最高,另外,慢病毒感染对猪胚胎发育没有明显影响.8-细胞间的嵌合率比较高;发育同步胚胎间的嵌合率高于发育非同步胚胎间的嵌合率.     

昆明小鼠原核胚在不同培养液中的体外发育

目的优化昆明小鼠原核胚胎体外培养系统,提高胚胎发育率.方法小鼠经超排获得原核期胚胎,制备小鼠输卵管上皮共培养系统,使用M16、CZB和KSOM培养液进行体外培养,并对体内和体外发育的囊胚细胞计数.结果在KSOM和CZB中添加胎牛血清能显著提高胚胎囊胚发育率(14.71%对85.71%;6.45%对10.81%);输卵管上皮共培养可以提高胚胎的卵裂率和囊胚发育率,同时提高胚胎质量和同步发育,小鼠胚胎在KSOMFBS中囊胚发育率达85.19%,显著高于CZB和M16.结论在小鼠输卵管上皮共培养条件下,KSOMFBS能够很好支持昆明小鼠原核期胚胎体外发育.     

化学联合激活可明显提高小鼠孤雌胚胎发育率

为探讨一种高效的小鼠卵母细胞孤雌激活的方案,进一步提高孤雌囊胚发育率。用不同浓度的氯化锶及不同作用时间的乙醇,并分别联合6-DMAP对不同卵龄小鼠卵母细胞进行活化,统计小鼠卵母细胞卵裂率和体外发育状况。结果显示,15～16h、18～19h和20～21h卵龄组卵母细胞经6mmol/LSrCl2联合6-DMAP处理后,三组的激活率随卵龄增长而升高,其中20～21h卵龄组显著高于15～16h、18～19h组(P<0.05),激活胚胎的发育率以18～19h时最高;6mmol/L和10mmol/L的SrCl2联合6-DMAP均能有效地激活小鼠卵母细胞,激活率分别为76.4%和83.6%,桑葚胚率分别为50.0%和56.3%;70ml/L乙醇联合6-DMAP以处理7min组获得了较好的激活率和囊胚发育率,分别为77.1%和42.4%,囊胚率均显著高于4min和10min处理组(P<0.05)。6-DMAP与SrCl2或乙醇联合应用可以有效抑制第二极体的排出,提高激活胚的二倍体比率;孤雌囊胚的平均细胞数显著低于正常受精囊胚(P<0.05)。不同激活方案对孤雌活化胚的核型和发育能力的作用差异较大,小鼠卵母细胞孤雌激活率与卵龄...     

应用乙二醇冷冻小鼠胚胎：优化和简化程序的探索

提高解冻胚胎的发育能力和简化冷冻解冻程序是胚胎冷冻研究的两大永恒的主题。尽管乙二醇（EG）广泛用于家畜胚胎冷冻,但很少用于冷冻小鼠和人胚胎。为数很少的以EG慢冻小鼠或人胚胎的研究均采用较为复杂的人胚冷冻程序,未见简化程序和用EG冷冻小鼠桑椹胚的报道。采用简单的牛胚胎冷冻程序研究了发育时期、EG浓度、平衡方法、添加蔗糖以及解冻后脱除EG等对小鼠胚胎冻后发育能力的影响。结果显示：（1）致密晚期桑椹胚冻后体外培养囊胚发育率（81.92%±2.24%）和孵出率（68.56％±2.43%）显著（P＜0.05)高于4-细胞、8-细胞胚胎和致密早期桑椹胚胎;（2）1.8mol/L EG冷冻小鼠致密晚期桑椹胚的囊胚发育和孵出率显著高于其它浓度;（3）在EG中平衡10min的冻后囊胚发育显著好于平衡5、20或30min;（4）两步平衡冷冻胚胎的囊胚发育率和孵出率显著高于一步平衡;（5）用EG冷冻小鼠胚胎无需添加蔗糖;（6）解冻后可不脱除EG;（7）冻后发育的早期囊胚和囊胚细胞数明显少于体内发育胚胎。因此,用EG冷冻小鼠胚胎的最佳方案为：致密晚期桑椹胚用1.8mol/L EG不添加蔗糖、两步平衡15min、以简单的牛胚胎冷冻程序冷冻解冻、解冻后不脱除EG直接培养或移植。     

遗传背景对小鼠四倍体胚胎发育的影响

不同遗传背景的小鼠2-细胞期胚胎经过电融合后,胚胎的融合效率和四倍体胚胎的发育能力存在着一定的差异。本试验采用C57(C57×C57)、ICR(ICR×ICR)、BALB/c(BALB/c×BALB/c)、B6D2F2(B6D2F1×B6D2F1)、B6C3D2F2(B6C3F1×B6D2F1)品系的二倍体2-细胞期胚胎在相同的条件下经过电融合处理,结果表明:小鼠四倍体胚胎的获得效率受小鼠遗传背景的影响,远交系小鼠胚胎B6D2F2和B6C3D2F2的融合率显著高于近交系C57,ICR和BALB/c(P<0.05);四倍体胚胎在体外的发育情况也受其遗传背景的影响,在桑椹胚发育率和囊胚发育率上B6D2F2和B6C3D2F2品系的四倍体胚胎都显著高于C57和BALB/c品系的四倍体胚胎(P<0.05);杂合和纯系遗传背景的小鼠四倍体胚胎囊胚细胞数目相比具有显著差异(P<0.05或P<0.01);不同遗传背景的小鼠四倍体胚胎着床率间不存在显著差异(P>0.05);杂合背景的小鼠四倍体胚胎得到5只发育至13.5dpc(dayspostcoitum,dpc)的胎儿,纯合背景的小鼠四倍体胚胎得到0只发育至11dpc的胎儿。     

小鼠囊胚的细胞凋亡:体内发育和体外培养的比较

小鼠胚体外培养到囊胚期的成功率很高,但质量是否能及体内发育的囊胚还不太清楚。细胞的数量和凋亡程度是胚胎质量鉴定的重要指标。本文采用TUNEL法分别对2-、8-细胞和桑椹胚培育成的鼠囊胚及体内发育而成的鼠囊胚细胞凋亡情况进行了检验。结果表明90%以上的2-、8-细胞及桑椹胚经过72h、48h和24h的培养发育到囊胚期。由桑椹胚发育成的与体内发育成的囊胚细胞凋亡指数没有显著差异,但由2-、8-细胞胚培育成的囊胚细胞凋亡指数显著高于体内发育成的囊胚。由此可见,体外长时间培养会增加胚胎的细胞凋亡程率。为培养出高质量的囊胚,胚胎培养条件还需进一步改善。     

小鼠原核期受精卵体外培养系统的筛选

为了筛选出最佳的小鼠原核期受精卵的体外发育培养系统,分别进行了四个试验。试验I:在体外分别用自配的M16、mM16、KSOM、mKSOM、CZB进行体外发育培养,进而筛选出一种最佳的体外培养系统;试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ分别:探讨了血清、PVA、rhLIF对小鼠胚胎发育的影响。结果,试验I中胚胎发育到2-细胞的比率差异不明显,但是在mM16和mKSOM中,发育到4-细胞的比率94.7%,90.7%(91/96;78/86)和发育到桑椹胚/囊胚的比率分别为78.1%,67.4%(75/96;58/86)均明显高于其他三种培养液;试验II用10?S代替M16中BSA时,胚胎的发育率均下降,即使在mM16中桑椹胚/囊胚率仅为4.8%(12/35)与对照组M16(40.5%)差异显著(p<0.05);试验Ⅲ用PVA取代mM16和mKSOM中的BSA其体外发育率显著下降,胚胎均无一例发育到桑椹胚/囊胚;试验Ⅳ:rhLIF能提高胚胎在体外的发育率可使mM16培养的胚胎囊胚率、囊胚脱出率分别达到84%(47/56)、39.2%(22/56)。结论:在不添减其他成分前提下,只在M16中添加0.1mMolEDTA、0.5mMol牛磺酸、1000IU/mlrhLIF便可获得84%的囊胚率,同时证明在M16或mM16添加血清都会降低其体外发育率;PVA还不能有效的取代mM16、mKSOM中的血清。     

葡萄糖对ICR小鼠胚胎体外发育的影响

研究葡萄糖在小鼠早期胚胎体外发育中的作用。实验1将6—8周龄的ICR雌鼠超数排卵后与公鼠交配,收集1-细胞放入含0(对照组)、0.5、1、3、5、10mmol/L葡萄糖的CZB中培养;实验2将从超排的ICR雌鼠输卵管内收集的1-细胞放入无糖CZB中培养,分别于1细胞、2细胞、4细胞、桑椹胚阶段移入含3.0mmol/L葡萄糖(最适浓度)的CZB中,培养24h后又移回到无糖CZB中(桑椹胚阶段除外)继续培养以及整个胚胎培养过程均在含糖CZB中,对照组胚胎培养全程均在无糖CZB中。每组胚胎于37℃、5%CO2培养箱中培养120h,每24h在倒置显微镜下观察胚胎发育情况,分别计算2-细胞率、4-细胞率、桑椹胚率、囊胚率和孵化率,并进行囊胚细胞计数。结果显示,小鼠胚胎在含糖CZB中与在无糖CZB中4-细胞发育率无差异;含糖CZB中囊胚率显著高于对照组;3.0mmol/L浓度组囊胚细胞数显著高于其余组;2-细胞至4-细胞、4-细胞至桑椹胚前添加葡萄糖囊胚率显著高于对照组,1-细胞至2-细胞、桑椹胚及其以后阶段添加葡萄糖囊胚率与对照组无差异。实验证实,在ICR小鼠胚胎体外培养中加入葡萄糖不会导致2-细胞阻滞;葡萄糖浓度增至10mmol/L对ICR小鼠胚胎无毒性作用;ICR小鼠胚胎体外培养的最适葡萄糖浓度为3.0mmol/L;2-细胞至4-细胞、4-细胞至桑椹胚前添加葡萄糖是必要的。     

Assessment of cytoplasmic effects on the development of mouse embryonic nuclei transferred to enucleated zygotes

In this study, cytoplasmic effects on the development of nuclear transplant embryos were examined. In addition, the production of offspring from nuclear transplant embryos was attempted. Nuclei from cleavage-stage embryos were transplanted to enucleated zygotes at different cell cycle stages and with different cytoplasmic volumes. A greater developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was observed in reconstituted late stage zygotes that received nuclei from late 2-cell stage embryos than in early stage zygotes (46.3% vs. 16.9%). A further increase in developmental rate to the blastocyst stage (85.5%) and in cell number was obtained in reconstituted late stage zygotes with reduced cytoplasmic volume. However, developmental potential of nuclei from 4- and 8-cell stage embryos was very limited, although they were transferred to enucleated late stage zygotes with reduced cytoplasm. After the transfer of blastocysts derived from nuclear transplant embryos to recipient females, live young were obtained from reconstituted embryos that received nuclei from late 2-cell stage embryos (28.6%). These results confirm that the development of nuclear transplant embryos can be affected by recipient cell cycle stage and cytoplasmic volume. Furthermore, the nuclei from late 2-cell stage embryos in which activation of the embryonic genome had occurred can be reprogrammed to a certain extent when transplanted into enucleated zygotes, especially late stage zygotes with reduced cytoplasmic content.     

Development of reconstituted mouse embryos produced from the cytoplast of bisected oocytes or pronuclear-stage embryos and single blastomeres of 2-cell stage embryos

The present study investigated the in vitro developmental potential of reconstituted mouse embryos produced from the cytoplast of pronuclear-stage embryos or oocytes and single blastomeres of 2-cell stage embryos by electrofusion. The cytoplast of pronuclear-stage embryos and oocytes were obtained by manual bisection with a fine glass needle under a dissecting microscope. The fusion rates of the reconstituted embryos produced from the cytoplast of oocytes and single blastomeres of 2-cell stage embryos (O-SB2: 38.1 and 41.5%) were significantly lower than those produced from the cytoplast of pronuclear-stage embryos and single blastomeres of 2-cell stage embryos (P-SB2: 91.2 and 97.6%; P<0.001). Reconstituted embryos were encapsulated in alginate gel and were cultured for 96 hours. Similarly, the cleavage and development rates to the blastocyst stage of O-SB2 (56.3, 61.2 and 2.0, 3.1%, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the P-SB2 (91.0, 91.2 and 18.6, 20.7%; respectively, P<0.05). The cleavage and development rates to the blastocyst stage (61.2 and 2.0%) of reconstituted embryos produced from single blastomeres of late 2-cell stage embryos and oocyte cytoplast improved after activation by ethanol treatment (76.1 and 21.7%). However, the use of single blastomeres of early 2-cell stage embryos as nuclear donors did not enhance the cleavage and development rates of the reconstituted embryos to the blastocyst stage.     

Comparison of hybrid and purebred in vitro-derived cattle embryos during in vitro culture

Frozen-thawed spermatozoa collected from a beef bull (Japanese Black) were used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) of matured oocytes obtained from dairy (Holstein) and beef (Japanese Black) females. Embryos were examined for fertilization, cleavage rate, interval between insemination and blastocyst production (experiment I), total cell number per embryo and sex ratio during blastocyst formation (experiment II), and blastocyst production rate of zygotes that developed to 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stages at 48h post-fertilization (experiment III). Fertilized oocytes were cultured in vitro on a cumulus cell co-culture system. The fertilization and cleavage rate of oocytes groups were similar, however, the blastocyst production rate was greater (P<0.05) in hybrid than from purebred embryos (27% versus 20%). Development of blastocysts produced from hybrid embryos developed at a faster rate than blastocysts produced from the straightbred embryos. In hybrid embryos, blastocyst production was significantly greater on day 7 (56%) and gradually decreased from 20% on day 8 to 17% on day 9. In contrast, blastocyst production rate from the purebred embryos was lower on day 7 (17%), increasing on day 8 to 59% and then decreased on day 9 to 24%. The total number of cells per embryo and sex ratio of in vitro-produced blastocysts were not different between hybrid and purebred embryos. The number of blastocysts obtained from embryos at the 8-cell stage of development by 48h post-fertilization (94%) was greater (P<0.01) than the number of zygotes producing blastocysts that had developed to the 4-cell stage (4%) and the 2-cell stage (2%) during the same interval. These results show that the blastocyst production rate and developmental rate to the blastocyst stage were different between hybrid and purebred embryos, and that almost all of the in vitro-produced blastocysts were obtained from zygotes that had developed to the 8-cell stage 48h post-fertilization.     

Culture of early stage ovine embryos to blastocyst enhances survival rate after cryopreservation

The current study assessed both the effects of in vitro culture and developmental stage of early stage in vivo produced ovine embryos on their ability to survive cryopreservation. Early stage embryos (n=226) were recovered from the oviduct, at different days of the early luteal phase, at three different developmental stages: 2- to 4-cell, 5- to 8-cell and 9- to 12-cell. For each stage, half of the embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage and frozen thereafter (CF), while the remainder was frozen just after recovery (EF). A third experimental group (BF; n=43) included blastocysts obtained from the uterus and frozen immediately after recovery. Embryo viability post-thawing was determined by assessing their rate of development to the hatched blastocyst stage following in vitro culture. Culture negatively affected embryo viability, since survival rate was higher in blastocysts obtained from the uterus than in those from culture (83.7% versus 66.1%; P<0.05); also the cryosurvival of cultured embryos was lower when the timing of blastocyst formation was extended (P<0.01). However, survival following freezing-thawing of early developmental stages was significantly lower when compared to viability of their counterparts cultured to the blastocyst stage (23.1% versus 66.1%, P<0.0001). In conclusion, our results indicate that, despite the deleterious effects of culture per se, the culture of early in vivo produced ovine embryos to the blastocyst stage prior to be frozen improves their survival after thawing.     

The effect of oxygen on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro

The optimal oxygen tension for development of preimplantation mouse embryos to the blastocyst stage in vitro was found to be between 2.5% and 5%. One- and two-cell embryos had a more sharply defined range of oxygen tension capable of supporting development than 8-cell and morula stages. At all stages of development, more embryos developed to the blastocyst stage under 5% O2 compared to the numbers of developing under higher oxygen tensions (20% and 40% O2). The blastocysts developing under 20% O2 had fewer blastomeres than those which developed under 5% O2. As the time required for development to the blastocyst stage in vitro increased, there were fewer blastomeres present at the blastocyst stage. These results indicate that the cleaving mouse embryo has an optimal oxygen requirement in vitro of about 5%. At higher oxygen tensions, fewer embryos develop to the blastocyst stage and in those which do develop, there are fewer cell divisions. If a gradient of oxygen tension exists across the blastomeres from the outside of the embryo to its centre, the blastomeres might be using this gradient to obtain imformation about their location within the embryo and respond accordingly. Thus blastomeres on the outside at a higher oxygen tension would divide at a slower rate and form trophectoderm whereas those on the inside at a lower oxygen tension would divide more rapidly and contribute to the inner cell mass.     

体细胞来源及培养代数对核移植重构胚发育的影响

为探讨体细胞来源及培养代数对核移植重构胚发育的影响,实验采用电融合法将小鼠2—细胞胚胎卵裂球、胚胎干细胞(ES)、胎儿成纤维细胞、耳成纤维细胞、尾尖成纤维细胞、睾丸支持细胞和精原细胞以及不同培养代次的胎儿成纤维细胞进行了核移植。结果显示：2—细胞胚胎卵裂球供核重构胚发育最好,囊胚率为7．4％;ES细胞重构胚虽然发育率低,但仍有囊胚出现,比例为0．7％;胎儿成纤维细胞重构胚最高发育阶段为桑椹胚,比例为0．2％;精原细胞重构胚只能发育到8-细胞阶段,比例为0．3％;其他几类细胞重构胚则仅能发育至4-细胞阶段。不同培养代数的胎儿成纤维细胞重构胚除第3代外都可发育到8-细胞阶段,且发育率差异不显著,但第一代细胞重构胚2-细胞发育率(40．7％)显著低于2、3和4代细胞重构胚。结果表明：不同分化程度的细胞核移植后,重新编程的难易程度是不一样的,分化程度越高则重新编程越难;未调整细胞周期的ES细胞由于多数处于S期,所以重构胚发育率很低;体外培养传代有利于体细胞核移植后重新编程。     

Cleavage pattern and survivin expression in porcine embryos by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Mammalian embryos produced in vitro show a high rate of early developmental failure. Numerous somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos undergo arrest and show abnormal gene expression in the early developmental stages. The purpose of this study was to analyze porcine SCNT embryo development and investigate the cause of porcine SCNT embryo arrest. The temporal cleavage pattern of porcine SCNT embryos was analyzed first, and the blastocyst origin at early developmental stage was identified. To investigate markers of arrest in the cleavage patterns of preimplantation SCNT embryos, the expression of survivin—the smallest member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family, which suppresses apoptosis and regulates cell division—was compared between embryos showing normal cleavage and arrested embryos.A total of 511 SCNT embryos were used for cleavage pattern analysis. Twenty-four hours post activation (hpa), embryos were classified into five groups based on the cleavage stage as follows; 1-cell, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell and fragmentation (frag). In addition, 48 hpa embryos were more strictly classified into 15 groups based on the cleavage stage of 24 hpa; 1-1 cell (24 hpa-48 hpa), 1-2 cell, 1-4 cell, 1-8 cell, 1 cell-frag, 2-2 cell, 2-4 cell, 2-8 cell, 2 cell-frag, 4-4 cell, 4-8 cell, 4 cell-frag, 8-8 cell, 8 cell-frag, and frag-frag. These groups were cultured until 7 d post activation, and were evaluated for blastocyst formation. At 24 hpa, the proportion of 2-cell stage was significantly higher (44.5%) than those in the other cleavage stages (1-cell: 13.4%; 4-cell: 17.9%; 8-cell: 10.3%; and frag: 13.9%). At 48 hpa, the proportion of embryos in the 2-4 cell stage was significantly higher (32.4%) than those in the other cleavage stages (2-8 cell: 8.2%; 4-8 cell: 12.1%; and frag-frag: 13.9%). Some embryos arrested at 48 hpa (1-1 cell: 5.8%; 2-2 cell: 2.8%; 4-4 cell: 3.8%; 8-8 cell: 6.5%; and total arrested embryos: 18.9%). Blastocyst formation rates were higher in 2-4 cell cleavage group (20.2%) than in other groups. SCNT embryos in 2-4 cell stage showed stable developmental competence. In addition, we investigated survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos during the early developmental stages. The levels of survivin mRNA in 2-cell, 4-cell stage SCNT embryos were significantly higher than those of arrested embryos. Survivin protein expression showed a similar pattern to that of survivin mRNA. Normally cleaving embryos showed higher survivin protein expression levels than arrested embryos. These observations suggested that 2-4 cell cleaving embryos at 48 hpa have high developmental competence, and that embryonic arrest, which may be influenced by survivin expression in porcine SCNT embryos.     

Inhibition of DNA replication in preimplantation mouse embryos by aphidicolin

The regulation of trophectoderm differentiation in mouse embryos was studied by inhibiting DNA synthesis with aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase alpha. Embryos were exposed to aphidicolin (0.5 micrograms/ml) for 16 h at various preimplantation stages and scored for their ability to form a blastocyst and develop beyond the blastocyst stage. Embryos were most sensitive to aphidicolin at the late 4-cell stage and became progressively less sensitive as they developed. Aphidicolin inhibited blastocyst formation by 70%, 100%, 77%, and 24% after treatment at the 2-cell, 4-cell, noncompacted 8-cell, and compacted 8-cell stages, respectively. Although the inhibitory effect of aphidicolin on blastocyst formation decreased markedly as 8-cell embryos underwent compaction, developmental capacity beyond the blastocyst stage was poor after treatment of either noncompacted or compacted 8-cell embryos. Treatment at the morula and early blastocyst stages was less harmful to embryos than treatment at earlier stages but reduced the number of trophoblast outgrowths by interfering with hatching. Autoradiographic analysis showed that during aphidicolin treatment, incorporation of 3H-thymidine was inhibited over 90% at all stages examined, indicating an inhibition of DNA synthesis. Because inhibition of blastocyst formation by aphidicolin decreased at the compacted 8-cell stage, we suggest that approximately the first half of the fourth DNA replication cycle is critical for subsequent blastocyst formation. Furthermore, the poor further development of blastocysts formed after aphidicolin treatment of compacted 8-cell embryos suggests that the DNA replication requirements for initial trophectoderm differentiation are distinct from requirements for further development of blastocysts in vitro.     

Survival of frozen-thawed sheep embryos cryopreserved at cleavage stages

This study evaluated the effect of freezing-thawing procedures on the viability of sheep embryos cryopreserved at various developmental stages. The survival rates of frozen-thawed embryos were compared with non-frozen counterparts. Embryos were recovered from the oviduct and uterus, at different days of the early luteal phase, and were classified at six different developmental stages: 2- to 4-cell (n = 72), 5- to 8-cell (n = 73), 9- to 12-cell (n = 70), early morulae (n = 42), morulae (n = 41), and blastocyst (n = 70). For each early cleavage stage and blastocysts, approximately half of the embryos, were frozen immediately by slow freezing with an ethylene glycol-based solution. The remaining embryos were cultured to the hatched blastocyst stage. All morulae and compact morulae were frozen after recovery with the same protocol. Cryoprotectants were removed using 1M sucrose solution, and then warmed the embryos were cultured to the hatched stage in a standardized in vitro culture. Embryo developmental stage had a significant effect on the ability to hatch following freezing (P<0.0001). The cryotolerance of the embryos fitted a regression (r2 = 0.908), increasing linearly from 2- to 4-cell embryos (17.1%) to morula stage (46.3%) and in a quadratic regression from the morula to the blastocyst stage (83.7%). Frozen early cleavage stage embryos had a significantly lower viability than their fresh counterparts (23.1 vs 83.1%; P<0.0001), with a similar rate of viability between fresh or frozen blastocysts (92.5 vs 83.7%). In conclusion, early sheep embryos are very sensitive to freezing per se and the survival rates following conventional freezing improve as embryo developmental stage progresses.