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Progesterone receptor gene expression in preimplantation pig embryos
1Department of Microbiology, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan. cying@mail.scu.edu.tw
European Journal of Endocrinology
|November 18, 2000
Summary
Progesterone receptors (PR) are present in early pig embryos but absent later. This suggests progesterone
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Endocrinology
Background:
- Progesterone is crucial for pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
- The direct role of progesterone on early embryos is unclear.
- Progesterone receptors (PR) mediate progesterone's physiological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the expression of PR gene and protein in preimplantation pig embryos.
- To investigate whether progesterone acts directly on embryos or indirectly.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect PR gene expression.
- Immunocytochemistry to detect PR protein presence.
- Analysis of pig embryos at various preimplantation stages (2-cell to blastocyst).
Main Results:
- PR mRNA was detected in 2-cell stage pig embryos, declining by the 4-cell stage.
- PR mRNA was undetectable in 5- to 8-cell, morula, and blastocyst stages.
- PR protein was present in oocytes and 4-cell stage embryos, but not in later stages.
Conclusions:
- Early pig embryogenesis is not directly influenced by progesterone acting via PR within the embryo.
- Progesterone's effects on early embryonic development are likely indirect.
- Maternal reproductive tract factors regulated by PR may influence embryo development.