title: Notch 1 signaling pathway effect on implantation competency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between the Notch 1 signaling pathway and the embryo implantation rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse embryos were cultured in vitro, and implantation competency was quantified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary fertility center of a university teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outbred ICR strain mouse embryos.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of Notch 1 was altered by adding a γ-secretase inhibitor to the culture medium. We quantified the consequent effect on embryo implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the messenger RNA level of Notch 1 gene at different embryonic stages, embryo implantation rate under different culture conditions, the amount of Notch 1, and related implantation competency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of Notch 1 increased during the implantation window. Adding γ-secretase inhibitor in the culture medium decreased the percentage of blastocysts in a dose-dependent manner. A Matrigel invasion assay showed that the competency of implantation required adequate expression of Notch 1 intracellular domain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of Notch 1 at the proper time is required for the competency of embryo implantation; this effect is mediated through regulation of Notch 1 intracellular domain expression.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Po-Wei
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Yi-Pei
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: I-Ching
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hsiu-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Gwo-Jang
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051881:Receptor, Notch1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007797:Laminin; C497762:Notch1 protein, mouse; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051881:Receptor, Notch1; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases