Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio
Published on: August 24, 2013
Impairments in embryonic genome activation in rhesus monkey somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos
Yuyu Niu1, Shihua Yang, Yang Yu
1Kunming Primate Research Center & Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a remarkable process in which a somatic cell nucleus is acted upon by the ooplasm via mechanisms that today remain unknown. Here we show the developmental competence (% blastocyst) of embryos derived from SCNT (21%) was markedly (p < 0.05) impaired compared with those derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) (42.1%) in rhesus monkey. Also, SCNT embryos were abnormal in their time course of embryonic development. SCNT produced embryos reached the eight-cell stage faster than did IVF produced embryos. We compare the transcription patterns of five nucleolar-related proteins-nucleolin, nucleophosmin, fibrillarin, PAF53, and UBF-in single IVF and SCNT blastocysts by RT-PCR. The SCNT embryos showed abnormal gene transcription. Immunolocalization of fibrillarin was undetectable in 8-cell and 16-cell SCNT embryos, indicating embryonic genomic activation was delayed in monkey embryos produced by SCNT compared to their IVF-derived counterparts. Some of SCNT embryos appeared to relative higher developmental potential and fibrillarin expression by prolonged exposure of incoming nuclei to a cytoplasm. Thus, our data show that SCNT embryos are characterized by abnormal cleavage and the timely onset of embryonic genome transcription, deficits that may explain their reduced pre- and postimplantation developmental capacity.
Insights
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in rhesus monkeys results in fewer blastocysts and abnormal embryonic development compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF). SCNT embryos exhibit delayed gene transcription, impacting their developmental potential.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a technique for creating genetically identical offspring.
- The mechanisms by which ooplasm reprograms a somatic cell nucleus are not fully understood.
- SCNT efficiency and developmental outcomes in non-human primates require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the developmental competence of embryos produced by SCNT versus in vitro fertilization (IVF) in rhesus monkeys.
- To investigate the timing of embryonic genome activation in SCNT-derived embryos.
- To analyze the transcription patterns of key nucleolar proteins in SCNT and IVF embryos.
Main Methods:
- Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in rhesus monkeys.
- Assessment of embryonic developmental competence (% blastocyst formation).
- RT-PCR analysis of nucleolar-related protein gene transcription (nucleolin, nucleophosmin, fibrillarin, PAF53, UBF).
- Immunolocalization of fibrillarin in early-stage embryos.
Main Results:
- SCNT-derived embryos showed significantly lower blastocyst rates (21%) compared to IVF embryos (42.1%).
- SCNT embryos exhibited abnormal developmental timing, reaching the eight-cell stage faster than IVF embryos.
- Abnormal gene transcription patterns were observed in SCNT embryos, with undetectable fibrillarin in early stages, indicating delayed embryonic genome activation.
Conclusions:
- SCNT in rhesus monkeys leads to impaired developmental competence and abnormal embryonic genome transcription.
- Delayed embryonic genome activation and abnormal cleavage are characteristic of SCNT embryos.
- These deficits likely contribute to the reduced pre- and postimplantation developmental capacity of SCNT-derived embryos.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming