title: Lack of protein kinase C-delta (PKCδ) disrupts fertilization and embryonic development.
abstract: This study tested the function of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) during fertilization and embryonic development using gene-knockout (Prkcd(-/-)) mice. Fertility analysis revealed that Prkcd(-/-) mating pairs produce significantly fewer pups per litter than wild-type pairs (P < 0.05), and exhibit a high incidence of embryonic loss post-implantation. Both Prkcd(-/-) male as well as Prkcd(-/-) female mice mated to Prkcd(+/+) controls also showed reduced litter sizes, with a selective loss of Prkcd-null pups. Further analysis of the females demonstrated comparable in vitro fertilization outcomes between control and Prkcd(-/-) oocytes fertilized with wild-type sperm. Pregnant Prkcd(-/-) females, however, exhibited a reduced number of total implantations, suggesting a possible disruption in early embryo quality and/or implantation. In turn, male gamete analysis revealed that Prkcd(-/-) sperm demonstrated a decreased capacity to penetrate the zona pellucida (P < 0.05), necessary for successful fertilization. Moreover, we identified phosphorylated PKCδ as a component of the sperm acrosome, indicating a potential role for this kinase in acrosome exocytosis. Therefore, loss of PKCδ disrupts key reproductive functions in both males and females that limit fertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Viveiros
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000201:enzymology; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011247:Pregnancy; D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051745:Protein Kinase C-delta