title: Identification of apolipoprotein A1 in the human embryonic secretome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors secreted by the human embryo and correlate levels with embryo morphology and pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A laboratory-based study of human embryo protein synthesis and secretion and a retrospective analysis of spent embryo culture media as it relates to pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based academic IVF program.
  
  
  METHODS
  IVF patients who had donated cryopreserved human pronuclear-stage embryos. Patients undergoing fresh IVF cycles resulting in a blastocyst transfer who donated spent media drops.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro embryo culture and collection of spent media.
  
  
  METHODS
  Protein analysis and identification by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, ApoA1 quantification by ELISA, and mRNA analysis by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By protein gel electrophoresis, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) was increased in the culture media from good-quality blastocysts (n = 6 embryos) compared to either cleavage-arrested embryos (n = 6 embryos) or poor-quality blastocysts (n = 6 embryos) using spent media from culture days 4 and 5, respectively. Apolipoprotein A1 concentrations were 23.1% greater in day 5 spent culture media from good-grade blastocysts (n = 30) when compared to poor-grade embryos (n = 30). However, in a group of patients (n = 20) with transfer of two good-quality blastocysts, ApoA1 levels from day 5 spent media did not correlate with embryo implantation and pregnancy. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of ApoA1 mRNA transcripts in human blastocysts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apolipoprotein A1 is produced by human preimplantation embryos, and increased levels are present in spent culture media containing blastocysts of higher morphologic grade. These results suggest a role for lipoproteins in early embryologic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsay M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mains
authors.forename: Lane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Christenson
authors.forename: Baoli
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Amy E T
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sparks
authors.forename: Satya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Van Voorhis
mesh_terms: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C505693:APOA1 protein, human; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D003470:Culture Media; D012333:RNA, Messenger