Transforming growth factor-alpha promotes mouse blastocyst outgrowth and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) on early stage of embryo implantation.


METHODS
Mouse blastocysts were cultured in vitro in medium containing various concentrations of TGF-alpha. Blastocyst implantation capacity was evaluated by calculating the percentage of embryos with attachment or outgrowth. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion of blastocysts was observed using gelatin zymography.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the percentage of attachment between control and TGF-alpha treated groups, but the percentage of outgrowth of TGF-alpha treated groups was significantly higher than that of the control group after 24 h culturing. Gelatin zymography showed that blastocysts cultured in TGF-alpha treated groups started secreting MMPs earlier than those in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-alpha is involved in regulating the mouse embryo implantation process by promoting blastocyst outgrowth and secreting matrix matalloproteinases.
Chen
S
S
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
Cao
Y
Y
Zeng
G
G
Duan
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013997:Time Factors; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases