Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
09:04
Transcriptome Profiling of In-Vivo Produced Bovine Pre-implantation Embryos Using Two-color Microarray Platform
Published on: January 30, 2017
Differential gene expression between the porcine morula and blastocyst
1Department of Animal Science and Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|May 24, 2011
Summary
This study analyzed gene expression in pig embryos during the morula and early blastocyst stages. Researchers identified significant differences in gene activity, with more genes upregulated in early blastocysts, suggesting increased preparation for implantation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Pre-implantation embryo survival and development are crucial for successful animal reproduction.
- Genetic material transfer from ovum to zygote is essential for embryonic development before implantation.
- Blastomere differentiation during morula and blastocyst stages is a key step in pre-implantation development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential gene expression patterns between the morula and early blastocyst stages in Landrace pigs.
- To identify genes involved in embryonic development and survival during the pre-implantation period.
- To provide a preliminary landscape of gene expression changes during the transition from morula to early blastocyst.
Main Methods:
- Collection of in vivo morula and early blastocyst samples from pure-bred Landrace pigs.
- Extraction of total RNA from individual embryos followed by two rounds of amplification.
- Hybridization of antisense RNA targets with custom oligo microarrays representing 24,000 porcine genes.
- Analysis of differential gene expression and functional annotation using Gene Ontology terms.
- Validation of key differentially expressed genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- Out of 24,000 genes analyzed, 162 were significantly upregulated in morula compared to early blastocysts (fivefold or greater).
- 2,126 genes were significantly upregulated in early blastocysts compared to morula (fivefold or greater).
- Functional annotation revealed genes related to metabolic processes, signal transduction, transportation, and cell differentiation were upregulated as development proceeded.
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction validated the microarray findings for 12 differentially expressed genes.
Conclusions:
- A preliminary gene expression landscape during the transition from morula to early blastocyst in pigs was established.
- Increased transcriptional activity was observed in early blastocysts, potentially in preparation for implantation.
- The identified differentially expressed genes offer opportunities to study their roles in pre-implantation porcine embryo development and survival.
