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Gene expression during pre- and peri-implantation embryonic development in pigs
P Maddox-Hyttel1, A Dinnyés, J Laurincik
1Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. poh@kvl.dk
Reproduction (Cambridge, England). Supplement
|May 1, 2002
Summary
Genome activation in pig embryos is marked by nucleoli development and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene transcription, which appears disturbed in in vitro-produced and cloned embryos, hindering swine embryo technology advancements.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology and developmental genetics in swine.
Background:
- Swine embryo technologies like in vitro production and nuclear transfer lag behind cattle.
- Genome activation, crucial for embryonic development, is not fully understood in pigs.
- Nucleoli development and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene transcription serve as key indicators of genome activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genome activation in various pig embryo types: in vivo-derived, in vitro-produced, and nuclear transfer.
- To analyze the development of embryonic nucleoli as markers for genome activity.
- To review current data on gene expression in pig embryos.
Main Methods:
- Focus on nucleoli development as a marker for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene transcription.
- Comparative analysis of genome activation in in vivo-derived, in vitro-produced, and nuclear transfer pig embryos.
- Review of existing literature on gene expression in pig embryos at different developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Pronounced transcription and nucleoli development initiate at the four-cell stage in in vivo-derived pig embryos.
- Limited information exists on early embryonic mRNA transcripts in pigs compared to cattle and mice.
- Disturbed nucleoli development in in vitro-produced and nuclear transfer embryos suggests impaired rRNA gene activation.
Conclusions:
- Nucleoli development is a critical indicator of genome activation in pig embryos.
- In vitro production and nuclear transfer techniques may disrupt essential rRNA gene activation.
- Further research is needed to advance swine embryo technologies and understand early embryonic gene expression.