Transcriptome profiling of human pre-implantation development.
BACKGROUND
Preimplantation development is a crucial step in early human development. However, the molecular basis of human preimplantation development is not well known.


METHODS
By applying microarray on 397 human oocytes and embryos at six developmental stages, we studied the transcription dynamics during human preimplantation development.


RESULTS
We found that the preimplantation development consisted of two main transitions: from metaphase-II oocyte to 4-cell embryo where mainly the maternal genes were expressed, and from 8-cell embryo to blastocyst with down-regulation of the maternal genes and up-regulation of embryonic genes. Human preimplantation development proved relatively autonomous. Genes predominantly expressed in oocytes and embryos are well conserved during evolution.


CONCLUSIONS
Our database and findings provide fundamental resources for understanding
Zhang
Pu
P
Department of Bioscience and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Zucchelli
Marco
M
Bruce
Sara
S
Hambiliki
Fredwell
F
Stavreus-Evers
Anneli
A
Levkov
Lev
L
Skottman
Heli
H
Kerkelä
Erja
E
Kere
Juha
J
Hovatta
Outi
O
D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000235:genetics; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D012333:RNA, Messenger