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Genome activation in equine in vitro-produced embryos
Biology of Reproduction
|September 13, 2021
Summary
Embryonic genome activation in horses begins subtly at the 4-cell stage and significantly at the 8-cell stage. This study details the timing and transcriptional networks involved in equine early embryo development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is crucial for initiating the embryo's own transcription.
- Understanding EGA timing and regulation is vital for species-specific embryo development.
- In vitro embryo production in horses is growing, but EGA knowledge is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the timing of embryonic genome activation in vitro-produced horse embryos.
- To identify the transcriptional networks governing early equine embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used on horse oocytes and embryos at eight developmental stages.
- Co-expression network analysis identified gene groups regulated by common mechanisms.
- Analysis of hub genes and promoter binding motifs implicated key transcription factors.
Main Results:
- Initial gene transcription was observed at the 2-cell stage.
- Minor EGA occurred at the 4-cell stage, with major activation at the 8-cell stage.
- Increased intronic nucleotides at the 4-cell stage indicated transcription initiation.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first genomic evaluation of EGA in horse embryos.
- Identified key stages (4-cell and 8-cell) and transcriptional regulators of equine EGA.
- Findings contribute to understanding and improving equine embryo production.
