Open AccessEffect of relaxin and IGF‐I on the pre‐implantation development of Mongolian gerbil ( Meriones unguiculatus ) embryos in vitro
Author(s) -
Yoshida Mayumi,
Obata Ryuichiro,
Tsujii Hirotada
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1007/s12522-008-0007-4
Subject(s) - blastocyst , relaxin , gerbil , embryo , andrology , inner cell mass , medicine , in vitro , endocrinology , biology , embryogenesis , chemistry , hormone , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , ischemia
Purpose Both relaxin and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) are members of the insulin super family. This study aimed to investigate the effect of relaxin and IGF‐I on the pre‐implantation of Mongolian gerbil of blastocyst development in vitro. Methods Blastocysts and eight‐cell stage embryos were collected from female gerbils. Eight‐cell embryos and blastocysts were cultured in mM16 medium supplemented with or without relaxin or IGF‐I for 24 h. Blastocysts were counted for total, inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cell numbers, and assessed apoptosis incidence. In addition, to measure incorporation of 3 H‐methionine, blastocysts were cultured for 3 h with relaxin or IGF‐I, washed with trichloroacetic acid and measured by liquid scintiration counter. Results Relaxin (200 ng/ml) increased total, TE and ICM cell numbers of blastocyst ( P < 0.05) when it was compared with the control. IGF‐I (150 ng/ml) also has influence on total and ICM cell numbers of blastocyst when compared with control. Apoptosis incidence was relatively low, and a significant difference was not observed between each group. The effect of relaxin on incorporation of 3 H‐methionine was higher than the control group ( P < 0.05). Relaxin increased the developmental rate from the eight‐cell stage to blastocyst ( P < 0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, relaxin and IGF‐I stimulated protein synthesis and increased cell numbers of blastocysts, promoting development of the gerbil embryo in vitro culture.