Analysis of apoptosis and methyltransferase mRNA expression in porcine cloned embryos cultured in vitro.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo developmental competence with embryonic cell apoptosis and DNA methylation.

Methods

The apoptotic incidence was examined via comet assay, and the mRNA expression of genes implicated in apoptosis (Bcl-2) and DNA methylation (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a) was determined using real-time RT-PCR.

Results

Comet assay showed that the SCNT embryos exhibited significantly higher apoptotic rate at 2-cell stage (8.3% versus 2.1%, P<0.05), 16-cell stage (27.3% versus 19.2%, P<0.05) and morula (37.5% versus 26.9, P<0.05) compared with IVF embryos. Compared with IVF embryos, a higher Bcl-2 mRNA expression pattern was observed in SCNT embryos before the 8-cell stage and diff

SUBMITTER: Ju S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2826623 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature