title: [Association between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos, understand the significance of apoptosis-regulatory genes in early embryonic development, and explore a new approach to improving the embryo quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of cell apoptosis and proliferation in early mouse embryos in different developmental status (morphologically normal embryos, arrested embryos and fragmented embryos) were analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), caspase in situ fluorescence and Bcl-2 immunofluorescence, and immunofluorescent detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cells in arrested embryos and embryonic fragments showed positive results in TUNEL assay with enhanced caspase activity and lowered expressions of Bcl-2 and PCNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cell apoptosis in early mouse embryos may be closely related to embryonic arrest and fragmentation.
authors.affiliation: Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.E-mail: yumin1028@163.com.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: YU
authors.forename: Zhuo-lin
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: QIU
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: LI
authors.forename: Wei-sen
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Lei-Ning
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: CHEN
authors.forename: Qiu-hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: LI
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: QUAN
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
chemical_list: D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C052617:Bcl2 protein, mouse; D020169:Caspases