title: Rabbit antiserum to mouse embryonic stem cells delays compaction of mouse preimplantation embryos.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the preimplantation blastocysts. So it is suggested that ES and ICM cells should have similar cellular surface molecules and antiserum to ES cells can inhibit ICM development.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rabbit antiserum to ES cells on mouse preimplantation embryo development and chimera production.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse 4-cell embryos were matured in vitro at 37.5(o)C, in humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere for 12-36 h. The embryos were cultured in KSOM medium with or without antiserum for 12-36 h. The ratios of in vitro embryo development of the blastocysts, cell division, attachment potential, alkaline phosphatase activity, post-implantation development, and chimera production were assessed and compared with the control group. P<0.05 was considered as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rabbit antiserum to mouse ES cells showed delay in embryo compaction and induced decompaction at 8-cell stage. The development of 4-cell embryos in the presence of the antiserum for 36h did not lead to a reduced or absent ICM. These embryos still displayed positive alkaline phosphatase activity, normal cell division, embryo attachment, outgrowth formation, implantation and post-implantation development. In addition, decompaction induced by antiserum did not increase production and germline transmission of chimeric mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that antiserum to ES cells delayed embryo compaction and did not affect post-implantation development and chimera production.
authors.affiliation: College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020, China. ; General Grassland Station of Xinjiang, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830049, China.
authors.forename: Yingli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
authors.forename: Lifang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
authors.forename: Zhenhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
authors.forename: Jianzhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: School Hospital of Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, Hebei 071001, China.
authors.forename: Mianjuan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Chimera; Embryonic stem cells; Immune sera; Mouse; Preimplantation development