Role of chloride transport in the development of the rat blastocyst

Preimplantation mammalian development culminates in the generation of a fluid-filled cavity, the blastocoel, which requires the vectorial transport of ions across the trophectoderm, followed by the movement of water. Experiments were carried out to establish the role of Cl- transport in blastocoel formation in the rat. These included investigations of the effect of Cl- substitution and the Cl- transport inhibitors 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, furosemide, and anthracene-9-carboxylic acid, on the development of morulae into blastocysts in culture, and on the rate at which blastocoel fluid is accumulated. In addition, a novel technique was developed in which the Cl(-)-sensitive fluorescent dye 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl) quinolium (SPQ) was loaded into the blastocoel cavity, in order to characterize the pathways of transtrophectodermal Cl- transport. We established that 1) blastocoel formation in the rat requires the external presence of Cl- ions; 2) transport across the trophectoderm appears to be via a transcellular pathway, since rates of blastocyst development, fluid accumulation, and SPQ-monitored Cl- efflux are all reduced in the presence of Cl- transport inhibitors; and 3) Cl- transport occurs via Cl-/HCO3- exchange.