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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Localisation of stem cell factor, stanniocalcin-1, connective tissue growth factor and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor in the bovine uterus at the time of blastocyst formation

M. Muñoz A E , D. Martin A , S. Carrocera A , M. Alonso-Guervos B , M. I. Mora C , F. J. Corrales C , N. Peynot D , C. Giraud-Delville D , V. Duranthon D , O. Sandra D and E. Gómez A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centro de Biotecnología Animal, Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Camino de Rioseco 1225, 33394 Gijón, Spain.

B Unidad de Microscopía Fotónica y Proceso de Imágenes, Servicios Científico Técnicos, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto Universitario de Oncología de Asturias (IUOPA), 33006, Oviedo, Spain.

C Unidad de Proteomica, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) – Universidad de Navarra, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.

D UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France.

E Corresponding author. Email: mmunoz@serida.org

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 29(11) 2127-2139 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16383
Submitted: 28 September 2016  Accepted: 12 January 2017   Published: 24 February 2017

Abstract

Early embryonic losses before implantation account for the highest rates of reproductive failure in mammals, in particular when in vitro-produced embryos are transferred. In the present study, we used molecular biology techniques (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction), classical immunohistochemical staining coupled with confocal microscopy and proteomic analysis (multiple reaction monitoring and western blot analysis) to investigate the role of four growth factors in embryo–uterine interactions during blastocyst development. Supported by a validated embryo transfer model, the study investigated: (1) the expression of stem cell factor (SCF), stanniocalcin-1 (STC1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in bovine uterine fluid; (2) the presence of SCF, STC1, CTGF and HB-EGF mRNA and protein in the bovine endometrium and embryos; and (3) the existence of reciprocal regulation between endometrial and embryonic expression of SCF, STC1, CTGF and HB-EGF. The results suggest that these growth factors most likely play an important role during preimplantation embryo development in cattle. The information obtained from the present study can contribute to improving the performance of in vitro culture technology in cattle and other species.

Additional keywords: early embryo–maternal communication, embryo, endometrium.


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