title: Blocking connexin channels improves embryo development of vitrified bovine blastocysts.
abstract: Connexins (Cxs) are required for normal embryo development and implantation. They form gap junctions (GJs) connecting the cytoplasm of adjacent cells and hemichannels (HCs), which are normally closed but open in response to stress conditions. Excessive HC opening is detrimental for cell function and may lead to cell death. We found that hatching of in vitro-produced bovine embryos, matured in serum-containing conditions, was significantly improved when vitrification/warming was done in the presence of Gap26 that targets GJA1 (Cx43) and GJA4 (Cx37). Further work showed that HCs from blastocysts produced after oocyte maturation in the presence of serum were open shortly after vitrification/warming, and this was prevented by Gap26. Gap26, applied for the exposure times used, inhibited Cx43 and Cx37 HCs while it did not have an effect on GJs. Interestingly, Gap26 had no effect on blastocyst degeneration or cell death. We conclude that blocking HCs protects embryos during vitrification and warming by a functional effect not linked to cell death.
authors.affiliation: Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Escribano
authors.affiliation: Physiology group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katarzyna Joanna
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Szymanska
authors.affiliation: Physiology group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bol
authors.affiliation: Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vandenberghe
authors.affiliation: Physiology group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Decrock
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Poucke
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peelman
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van den Abbeel
authors.affiliation: Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Soom
authors.affiliation: Physiology group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leybaert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D017630:Connexins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D046149:Embryo Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D058989:Vitrification
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins
keywords: connexins; hemichannels; vitrification; cryopreservation; blastocyst