Js. Krussel et al., Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in human preimplantation embryos derived from tripronuclear zygotes, FERT STERIL, 74(6), 2000, pp. 1220-1226
Objective: To detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF) mRNA and/or secretion of VEGF protein by human preimplantation embryo
s.
Design: Human preimplantation embryos not suitable for uterine transfer wer
e examined for beta -actin and VEGF mRNA expression. Culture media from nor
mally fertilized and developing preimplantation embryos were assessed for V
EGF protein secretion.
Setting: Clinics and academic research laboratories at the Departments of O
bstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University, Pale Alto, California
and the Heinrich-Heine-University, Dusseldorf, Germany.
Patient(s): Couples undergoing IVF by intracytoplasmic sperm injection for
various reasons.
Intervention(s): Six unfertilized oocytes and 33 pathologically fertilized
(tripronucleic, 3PN) preimplantation embryos were examined for VEGF mRNA ex
pression, and 16 embryos were examined for VEGF protein secretion.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Embryonic expression of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein
as determined by reverse transcription (RT)/nested polymerase chain reacti
on (PCR) and ELISA.
Result(s): VEGF mRNA and protein could not be detected in unfertilized oocy
tes. However, 30/33 preimplantation embryos did express VEGF mRNA (11/12 10
-to-16-cell embryos, 3/4 morulae, 11/12 early blastocysts, 5/5 hatched blas
tocysts). The VEGF protein level was below the sensitivity of the ELISA.
Conclusion(s): Production of VEGF may give the embryo the ability to induce
neoangiogenesis at the implantation site, thus creating an environment nec
essary for its survival. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;74:1220-6 (C) 2000 by Ameri
can Society for Reproductive Medicine).