title: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in human preimplantation embryos derived from tripronuclear zygotes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and/or secretion of VEGF protein by human preimplantation embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human preimplantation embryos not suitable for uterine transfer were examined for beta-actin and VEGF mRNA expression. Culture media from normally fertilized and developing preimplantation embryos were assessed for VEGF protein secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinics and academic research laboratories at the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University, Palo Alto, California and the Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Couples undergoing IVF by intracytoplasmic sperm injection for various reasons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six unfertilized oocytes and 33 pathologically fertilized (tripronucleic, 3PN) preimplantation embryos were examined for VEGF mRNA expression, and 16 embryos were examined for VEGF protein secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Embryonic expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein as determined by reverse transcription (RT)/nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VEGF mRNA and protein could not be detected in unfertilized oocytes. However, 30/33 preimplantation embryos did express VEGF mRNA (11/12 10-to-16-cell embryos, 3/4 morulae, 11/12 early blastocysts, 5/5 hatched blastocysts). The VEGF protein level was below the sensitivity of the ELISA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Production of VEGF may give the embryo the ability to induce neoangiogenesis at the implantation site, thus creating an environment necessary for its survival.
authors: Reproductive Immunology Laboratory, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University Medical Center, California, Palo Alto, USA. kruessel@uni.duesseldorf.de
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Krüssel
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Behr
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Hirchenhain
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Wen
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Milki
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cupisti
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Bielfeld
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Polan
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D015053:Zygote / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors