title: DAZL protein expression in mouse preimplantation embryo.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the expression pattern of Dazl (deleted in azoospermia-like) protein in the mouse preimplantation embryo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical research laboratory in a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty female 28- to 35-day-old FVB mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Embryo collection at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 days postcoitus (plug date, 0.5 d postcoitus) to examine the Dazl protein expression from the two-cell embryo to the blastocyst.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dazl protein expression was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is abundant expression of Dazl protein in the cytoplasm of the blastomere. Strong fluorescent signals of Dazl protein expression were found in preimplantation embryo cytoplasm, including two-cell, eight-cell, morula, and blastocyst.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using an antibody raised against mouse Daz-like protein (Dazl), we showed that Dazl protein is present in all cleaving stages of the preimplantation embryo. This is the first report on the protein expression of a Dazl gene during embryogenesis in mice. However, further study is needed to evaluate the molecular functional role of Dazl.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-An
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Rui-Wen
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Chia-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Yen-Ni
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Yung-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Pao-Lin
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002970:Cleavage Stage, Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C508515:DAZL protein, mouse; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins