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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Loss- and Gain-of-function Approach to Investigate Early Cell Fate Determinants in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos
Published on: June 6, 2016
[Association between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos]
Min YU1, Zhuo-lin QIU, Hong LI
1Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.E-mail: yumin1028@163.com.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos, understand the significance of apoptosis-regulatory genes in early embryonic development, and explore a new approach to improving the embryo quality.
Methods:
The levels of cell apoptosis and proliferation in early mouse embryos in different developmental status (morphologically normal embryos, arrested embryos and fragmented embryos) were analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), caspase in situ fluorescence and Bcl-2 immunofluorescence, and immunofluorescent detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
Results:
The cells in arrested embryos and embryonic fragments showed positive results in TUNEL assay with enhanced caspase activity and lowered expressions of Bcl-2 and PCNA.
Conclusion:
Cell apoptosis in early mouse embryos may be closely related to embryonic arrest and fragmentation.

