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Oxygen-regulated gene expression in bovine blastocysts
A J Harvey1, K L Kind, M Pantaleon
1Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia 5011, Australia. alexandra.harvey@adelaide.edu.au
Biology of Reproduction
|May 28, 2004
Summary
Bovine embryos respond to varying oxygen levels by altering gene expression, with HIF2alpha potentially mediating these effects. Oxygen concentration impacts embryo development and cell allocation during critical preimplantation stages.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Oxygen levels in vitro affect embryo development, cell count, and gene expression.
- Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key regulators of cellular oxygen response.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of HIFs in bovine preimplantation embryos.
- Determine how oxygen concentration influences gene expression and development.
Main Methods:
- Cultured bovine embryos at different oxygen tensions (2%, 7%, 20%).
- Analyzed gene expression (GLUT1, HIF1alpha, HIF2alpha) and HIFalpha protein localization.
- Assessed embryo development and inner cell mass cell proportion.
Main Results:
- Bovine embryos altered gene expression in response to oxygen levels.
- GLUT1 expression increased under 2% oxygen.
- HIF2alpha protein localized to the nucleus, while HIF1alpha was undetectable in blastocysts.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen concentration influences gene expression in developing bovine embryos.
- HIF2alpha may mediate oxygen-dependent gene expression changes.
- Oxygen levels impact inner cell mass proportion in blastocysts.