title: Expression of the alphav integrin adhesion molecule during development of preimplantation human embryos.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of alphav integrin in developing human embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing IVF cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunofluorescent monoclonal antibodies against alphav integrin were used to stain human preimplantation embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunofluorescence microscopy and computerized image analysis were used to evaluate both qualitative and quantitative expression of integrins in human embryos.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The alphav integrin subunit was found to be expressed in human embryos throughout their development (from two-cell stage up to blastocyst). The expression of alphav integrin subunit gradually increased throughout embryo development as measured quantitatively by image analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of alphav integrin subunit throughout the development of preimplantation human embryos reinforces the concept of a role for integrins in the process of implantation.
authors: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Fertility, and IVF Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Dubey
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Cruz
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Hartog
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Gindoff
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D039564:Integrin alphaV; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D039564:Integrin alphaV