Epicatechin gallate decreases the viability and subsequent embryonic development of mouse blastocysts.
OBJECTIVE
Catechins, a family of polyphenols found in tea, evoke various responses including cell death. We examined the cytotoxic effects of epicatechin gallate (ECG), a polyphenol extract from green tea, on the blastocyst stage of mouse embryos, subsequent embryonic attachment, and in vitro and in vivo outgrowth implantation after embryo transfer.


METHODS
Mouse blastocysts were incubated in medium with or without ECG (12.5 microM, 25 microM or 50 microM) for 24 hours. Cell proliferation and growth were investigated using dual differential staining, apoptosis was analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, and implantation and post-implantation development of embryos were measured by in vitro development analysis and in vivo embryo transfer, respectively.


RESULTS
Blastocysts treated with 50 microM ECG exhibited a significant increase in apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in total cell number. Importantly, the implantation success rate of blastocysts pretreated with 50 microM ECG was lower than that of controls, and in vitro treatment with 50 microM ECG was associated with increased resorption of post-implantation embryos and decreased fetal weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results collectively indicate that in vitro exposure to ECG induces apoptosis and retards early post-implantation development after transfer to host mice. The degree of teratogenic potential exerted by ECG in early human development is unknown at present and requires further investigation.
Tu
Hsiao-Chen
HC
Department of Bioscience Technology and Center for Nanotechnology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung Li, Taiwan.
Chen
Chih-Ping
CP
Chan
Wen-Hsiung
WH
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D020567:Fetal Weight; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy
D000975:Antioxidants; D002392:Catechin; C062669:epicatechin gallate