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Home / Equine Research Bank / Biol Reprod / Genome activation in equine in vitro-produced embryos.
Biology of reproduction2021; 106(1); 66-82; doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioab173

Genome activation in equine in vitro-produced embryos.

Abstract: Embryonic genome activation is a critical event in embryo development, in which the transcriptional program of the embryo is initiated. The timing and regulation of this process are species-specific. In vitro embryo production is becoming an important clinical and research tool in the horse; however, very little is known about genome activation in this species. The objective of this work was to identify the timing of genome activation, and the transcriptional networks involved, in in vitro-produced horse embryos. RNA-Seq was performed on oocytes and embryos at eight stages of development (MII, zygote, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, blastocyst; n = 6 per stage, 2 from each of 3 mares). Transcription of seven genes was initiated at the 2-cell stage. The first substantial increase in gene expression occurred at the 4-cell stage (minor activation), followed by massive gene upregulation and downregulation at the 8-cell stage (major activation). An increase in intronic nucleotides, indicative of transcription initiation, was also observed at the 4-cell stage. Co-expression network analyses identified groups of genes that appeared to be regulated by common mechanisms. Investigation of hub genes and binding motifs enriched in the promoters of co-expressed genes implicated several transcription factors. This work represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first genomic evaluation of embryonic genome activation in horse embryos.
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for the Study of Reproduction. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-14 PubMed ID: 34515744DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab173Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research paper discusses a study on genome activation in horse embryos produced in vitro, concentrating on the timing and transcriptional networks involved in this process.

Research Objectives

  • This research aimed to determine the timeline for genome activation in horse embryos produced in vitro by studying oocytes and embryos at eight different developmental stages.
  • The study also sought to discern the transcriptional networks involved in horse embryos’ genome activation through RNA sequencing.

Methodology

  • The researchers performed RNA sequencing on oocytes and embryos at eight development stages, namely MII, zygote, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst, using samples from three mares.
  • They started observing the initiation of seven genes’ transcription at the 2-cell developmental stage, leading them to the conclusion that genome activation occurs during this phase.
  • They noted the first significant increase in gene expression at the 4-cell stage, termed “minor activation.” Another surge of significant gene upregulation and downregulation was observed at the 8-cell stage, referred to as “major activation”. They also observed an increase in intronic nucleotides, which marked the beginning of transcription at the 4-cell stage.

Results

  • A co-expression network analysis was conducted to identify groups of genes that seemed to be regulated by common mechanisms.
  • The researchers analyzed “hub genes” and binding motifs enriched in the promoters of co-expressed genes and inferred several transcription factors.
  • The outcome of this research is reportedly the first genomic evaluation of embryonic genome activation in horse embryos.

Significance

  • This research adds to the fundamental understanding required for embryo development, particularly in horses, laying the groundwork for future studies in the field.
  • The remarkable insights drawn from this research, especially concerning the timeline and the various transcriptional networks, enhance the potential for advancements in horse in vitro fertilization techniques.

Cite This Article

APA
Goszczynski DE, Tinetti PS, Choi YH, Hinrichs K, Ross PJ. (2021). Genome activation in equine in vitro-produced embryos. Biol Reprod, 106(1), 66-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioab173

Publication

Biology of reproduction
ISSN: 1529-7268
NlmUniqueID: 0207224
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 106
Issue: 1
Pages: 66-82

Researcher Affiliations

Goszczynski, D E
    Tinetti, P S
      Choi, Y H
        Hinrichs, K
          Ross, P J

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Blastocyst / physiology
            • Embryonic Development / genetics
            • Female
            • Gene Expression / genetics
            • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
            • Horses / embryology
            • Horses / genetics
            • Introns / genetics
            • Morula
            • Retroelements / genetics
            • Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / veterinary
            • Transcription, Genetic
            • Transcriptional Activation / genetics
            • Zygote / growth & development

            Citations

            This article has been cited 6 times.
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