Association between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>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.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cell apoptosis in early mouse embryos may be closely related to embryonic arrest and fragmentation.</p>