京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18880号 / 医博第3991号 / 新制||医||1008(附属図書館) / 31831 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 山下 潤, 教授 篠原 隆司, 教授 斎藤 通紀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:55:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Flavio Freires.pdf: 2001581 bytes, checksum: 9175dab7eab2065c034ec514e2244675 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-27 / Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer (Arecaceae), popularly known by tucumã, is a palm tree that occurs in the Amazon and presents a potential market of food and crafts. Has great economic importance, mainly the different products that it can be extracted and used. The specie is characterized by delay in germination, a fact that discourages their cultivation. Thus, information that enable methods and techniques that accelerate the seedlings production is important as a stimulus to the specie cultivation. The aimed of this study was to establish protocols for tucumã in vitro germination and development of zygotic embryos through tissue culture techniques. The tests were performed at the Centro de Biotecnologia da Amazônia. We evaluated the effects of different antioxidants (activated charcoal, ascorbic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone), the means were tested semi solid MS and Y3 with 0.0 mg L-1 and 2.0 mg L-1 indolylacetic acid (IAA) in the elongation phase, while in the rooting phase, the treatments consisted of four concentrations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg L-1). The cultures remained in a growth chamber with temperature set at 25 ± 1 ° C, light intensity of 30.0 μmols.m-2.s-1 and 16-hour photoperiod. During the acclimatization plants were kept in a greenhouse with intermittent misting system for 60 days. The substrates used were sand, coconut fiber, Vivato®, coconut fiber x sand, coconut fiber x Vivato®, sand and Vivato®, sand x coconut fiber x Vivato®, all in the same proportions. The antioxidant assay results showed that there is no need for the use of antioxidants as MS medium (control) showed 86% germination and absence of oxidation. In stretching phase, MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L-1 IAA, was superior to other treatments, developing plants with an average height of 6.18 cm. For rooting, the treatment with 10.0 mg L-1 NAA was higher, with an average production of 9.0 roots per plant, with a rooting percentage of 75.0%. During the acclimatization phase, the substrate Vivato® showed superior results to the other, with an average increase in height of 10.25 cm and launch of five new leaves / Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer (Arecaceae), popularmente conhecido por tucumã, é uma palmeira que ocorre na Amazônia e apresenta potencial para o mercado de alimento e artesanato. Tem grande importância econômica, principalmente, pelos diferentes produtos que dela podem ser extraídos e usados. A espécie tem como característica a demora na germinação, fato que desestimula o seu cultivo. Deste modo, informações que viabilizem métodos e técnicas que acelerem a produção de mudas são importantes como estímulo para o cultivo da espécie. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer protocolos de germinação e desenvolvimento in vitro de embriões zigóticos de tucumã através da técnica de cultura de tecidos. Os ensaios foram realizados no Centro de Biotecnologia da Amazônia. Foi avaliada os efeitos de diferentes antioxidantes (carvão ativado, ácido ascórbico e polivinilpirrolidona); foram testados os meios semi sólidos MS e Y3 com 0,0 mg.L-1 e 2,0 mg.L-1 de ácido indolilacético (AIA), na fase de alongamento; já em fase de enraizamento, os tratamentos consistiram de quatro concentrações de ácido naftaleno acético (ANA) (0, 2,5, 5, 10 mg.L-1). As culturas permaneceram em sala de crescimento com temperatura ajustada em 25 ± 1ºC, intensidade luminosa de 30,0 μmols.m-2.s-1 e fotoperíodo de 16 horas. Na fase de aclimatização as plantas foram mantidas em casa de vegetação com sistema de nebulização intermitente por 60 dias. Os substratos utilizados foram areia, fibra de coco, Vivato®, fibra de coco x areia, fibra de coco x Vivato®, areia x Vivato® e areia x fibra de coco x Vivato®, todos nas mesmas proporções. O ensaio com antioxidantes os resultados demonstraram que não há a necessidade de utilização de antioxidantes, pois o meio MS (controle) apresentou 86% de germinação e ausência de oxidação. Já na fase de alongamento o meio MS suplementado com 2,0 mg.L-1 de AIA apresentou superioridade aos demais tratamentos, desenvolvendo plantas com altura média de 6,18 cm. Para o enraizamento, o tratamento com 10,0 mg.L-1 de ANA, foi superior, com uma produção média de 9,0 raízes por planta, com um percentual de enraizamento de 75,0%. Na fase de aclimatização, o substrato Vivato® apresentou resultados superiores aos demais, com incremento médio em altura de 10,25 cm e lançamento de cinco novas folhas

The effects of energy balance on hormonal patterns and recovered oocytes were evaluated in 20 lactating Holstein cows during two trial periods (fall/spring). Cows were randomly selected and assigned to one of two dietary treatments formulated so that cows consumed 3.6% BW (HE- 1.78 mcal/kg; n=6 in fall, n=5 in spring) and 3.2% BW (LE-1.52 mcal/kg; n= 5 in fall, n=4 in spring). Body weight and body condition score (BCS) were recorded prior to parturition and weekly throughout the fall trial. Ultrasound guided transvaginal follicular aspirations were conducted twice weekly between d 30 and 100 of lactation. Follicle size and number were recorded. Follicular fluid (FF) was aspirated from the largest follicle, and serum samples were collected for hormone assay (IGF-1; estradiol (E2); progesterone (P4, serum ); LH and FSH). Oocytes were collected and graded based upon cumulus density and ooplasm homogeneity, then fertilized and cultured in vitro. Milk yield averaged 41.64 ± .3 kg/d (mean ± SE) for HE and 32.8 ± .3 kg/d for LE. There was a significant cubic day postpartum by treatment interaction for milk yield. Dry matter intake and BW treatment by week interactions were significant for the cubic and linear components, respectively. Oocyte numbers increased linearly from d 30 to 100 postpartum. HE cows produced more good + oocytes (1.5 ± .2 ) than LE cows (1.4 ± .1). Follicles less than or equal to 5 mm predominated throughout the study (6.4 ± 3.0). However, greater numbers of follicles 10 to 14 mm and greater than or equal to 15 mm were found in the fall (1.98 ± .08 and .50 ± .06) than spring (1.11 ± .3 and .23 ± .07). Follicular fluid IGF-1 was higher in HE (2.3 ± .2 ng/ml) than in LE cows (1.6 ± .2 ng/ml). Mean basal serum FSH concentration was lower at 28 d postpartum (173 ± 8 pg/ml) compared to later (521 ± 25 at d 60 and 650 ± 25 pg/ml at d 110). Serum P4 peaked at 35 d postpartum, with HE cows having 1 ng/ml higher P4 than LE cows. Low dietary energy reduced milk yield, DMI, BCS, FF IGF-1 and serum P4 and had a negative impact on oocyte quality. / Master of Science

The development of oocytes of differing quality retrieved using transvaginal follicular aspiration (TVFA) and following DNA injection was examined. Eight cows were subjected to twice weekly TVF A for 16 wk. Oocytes retrieved were graded and placed in an in-vitro maturation, fertilization and co-culture (IVMIIVFIIVC) program. Two thirds of oocytes were injected with DNA. Good quality oocytes from slaughtered cows (SH) were obtained once monthly and processed the same way. Good quality TVF A oocytes had a higher mean development score than poor quality oocytes, but not different from that of good quality SH oocytes. Good quality TVF A oocytes produced more viable embryos (31.7% blastocysts) than poor quality oocytes or SH oocytes (12.8% and 20.4% blastocysts, respectively). Embryo development following injection of DNA was the same for oocytes for each source-quality group (TVF A-good, 8.4; TVF A-poor, 5.5; SH-good, 6.3 % blastocysts). Development of good quality TVFA oocytes increased during the last 9 wk of the 16 wk collection period. Poor oocyte development increased slightly to 9 wk and then decreased. Development of TVF A oocytes injected with DNA did not vary during the experiment. However, development of controls increased from a mean score of2.50 at wk 1 to 4.17 at wk 16. Oocytes from TVFA produced more PCR positive blastocysts (95.0%) than SH oocytes (61.5%). More calves were born from the transfer of embryos injected with DNA from TVF A oocytes (3/5) than from SH oocytes (116), although not statistically significant. One calf was PCR positive in bone-marrow, but was negative in other tissues. The use of oocytes obtained by TVF A may improve the efficiency of producing transgenic cattle. / Master of Science

A ineficiência dos protocolos de criopreservação limita o uso em larga escala da produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os danos causados pela criopreservação e pelo cultivo embrionário de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro após a descongelação, avaliando a morfologia, a expressão gênica e o desenvolvimento in vitro antes e após a criopreservação. Complexos cummulusoócitos foram maturados, fecundados e cultivados in vitro. Blastocistos expandidos (n=600) obtidos entre os dias 7 e 9 de cultivo (fecundação D0) foram submetidos a congelação controlada (grupo controlado: 10% de etileno glicol (EG) por 10 minutos, 1,2oC por minuto), congelação rápida (grupo rápido: 10% de EG por 10 minutos , 20% de EG + 20% de Glicerol (Gli) por 30 segundos) ou vitrificação (grupo vitrificação: 10% de EG por 10 minutos, 25% EG + 25% Gli por 30 segundos). Os embriões do grupo controle não foram expostos a crioprotetores e nem a protocolos de criopreservação, sendo avaliado o índice de eclosão 12 dias após a fecundação (46,09%). As palhetas para os protocolos de congelação rápida e vitrificação foram mantidas em vapor de nitrogênio líquido (0,8cm sobre o líquido) por 2 minutos e imersas no nitrogênio líquido. Os embriões foram descongelados por 10 segundos em ar e 20 segundos em banhomaria a 25oC. Os embriões foram reidratados em solução de PBS + 0,2% de BSA + 0,3M de sacarose e em solução de PBS + 0,2% de BSA ambos por 3 minutos. Para avaliar o desenvolvimento, os embriões, após a descongelação, foram co-cultivados com células da granulosa em meio TCM199 ou SOFaa por 4 dias. Os dados foram analisados com o aplicativo PROC MIXED do programa SAS Sistems for Windows®. O grupo controlado apresentou índices de eclosão de 44,65% ± 5,94 e 11,65 ± 3,37 para o meio TCM199 e para o meio SOFaa, respectivamente. Embriões do grupo rápido não apresentaram eclosão, independente do meio de cultivo. O grupo vitrificação apresentou índices de eclosão de 9,43% ± 6,77 e 8,67% ± 4,47, respectivamente, em meio TCM199 e SOFaa. Os valores foram significativos quando p<0,05. O grupo controlado apresentou diferença em relação aos outros grupos em ambos os meios de cultivo. No meio TCM199 os índices de re-expansão e eclosão foram mais altos. Para a análise da expressão gênica, 2 pools de 10 blastocistos expandidos de embriões frescos e criopreservados (congelação controlada) foram utilizados para a extração de RNA. Foi feita reação de Transcrição Reversa (RT-PCR) e de PCR em Tempo Real. Os resultados da reação de PCR em Tempo Real demonstraram que a quantidade de material não foi suficiente para a amplificação de produtos em todas as reações. Concluindo, o meio de cultivo TCM199 exerce influência sobre o desenvolvimento embrionário após a criopreservação, sendo mais apropriado do que o meio SOFaa. E, para proceder a análise da expressão gênica pela reação de PCR em Tempo Real é necessário número maior de blastocistos expandidos. / The inefficiency of embryo cryopreservation protocols limits the broad use of in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. The aim of this work was to identify the damage caused by cryopreservation and embryo culture of in vitro produced bovine embryos after thawing by morphological analysis, gene expression and in vitro development before and after cryopreservation. Cummulus-oocyte complexes were in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured. Expanded blastocysts (n= 600) harvested on days 7-9 were submitted controlled freezing [controlled group: 10% ethylene glycol (EG) for 10 minutes and 1.2oC per minute cryopreservation], quick-freezing [quick group: 10% EG for 10 minutes, 20% EG + 20% Glycerol (Gly) for 30 seconds] or vitrification [vitrification group: 10% EG for 10 minutes, 25% EG + 25% Gly for 30 seconds] protocols. The embryos of the control group were not exposed to cryoprotectant or crypreservation method and the hatching rate was evaluated on day12 post-insemination. The straws (quick and vitrification groups) were first placed on nitrogen vapor (0.8 cm over the liquid nitrogen) for 2 minutes and than immersed in liquid nitrogen. Embryos were thawed in air for 10 seconds followed by 25oC water bath for 20 seconds. Embryos were rehydrated in PBS + 0.2% BSA + 0.3M sucrose for 3 minutes and PBS + 0.2% BSA for the same time. In order to evaluate development of frozen-thawed embryos they were cocultured on granulosa cells in TCM 199 or SOFaa for 4 days. Hatching rate of control group was 46.09%. Data was analyzed by PROC MIXED model of SAS Sistems for Windows®. Controlled group hatching rate was 44.65% ± 5.94 and 11.65% ± 3.37 for TCM 199 and in SOFaa, respectively. Embryos submitted to quick group did not hatch regardless of culture condition. Vitrification group showed hatching rates of 9.43% ± 6.77 and 8.67% ± 4.47, respectively, in TCM 199 and SOFaa., and values were significant at p<0.05. The controlled group showed difference between the other groups of cryopreservation in both medium (TCM 199 and SOFaa). However, TCM 199 showed high rates of re-expansion and hatching. To gene expression analysis, 2 pools of 10 expanded blastocysts of fresh and cryopreserved embryos (controlled freezing) was used to RNA extraction, Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was done and submitted to a Real Time PCR. The results of the Real Time PCR showed that the amount of material was not enough to the amplification of products in all reactions. In conclusion, the culture medium influences the embryo development after the cryopreservation being TCM199 more appropriate than SOFaa. And more number of expanded blastocysts is necessary to analysis the gene expression in a Real Time PCR reaction.

A ineficiência dos protocolos de criopreservação limita o uso em larga escala da produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os danos causados pela criopreservação e pelo cultivo embrionário de embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro após a descongelação, avaliando a morfologia, a expressão gênica e o desenvolvimento in vitro antes e após a criopreservação. Complexos cummulusoócitos foram maturados, fecundados e cultivados in vitro. Blastocistos expandidos (n=600) obtidos entre os dias 7 e 9 de cultivo (fecundação D0) foram submetidos a congelação controlada (grupo controlado: 10% de etileno glicol (EG) por 10 minutos, 1,2oC por minuto), congelação rápida (grupo rápido: 10% de EG por 10 minutos , 20% de EG + 20% de Glicerol (Gli) por 30 segundos) ou vitrificação (grupo vitrificação: 10% de EG por 10 minutos, 25% EG + 25% Gli por 30 segundos). Os embriões do grupo controle não foram expostos a crioprotetores e nem a protocolos de criopreservação, sendo avaliado o índice de eclosão 12 dias após a fecundação (46,09%). As palhetas para os protocolos de congelação rápida e vitrificação foram mantidas em vapor de nitrogênio líquido (0,8cm sobre o líquido) por 2 minutos e imersas no nitrogênio líquido. Os embriões foram descongelados por 10 segundos em ar e 20 segundos em banhomaria a 25oC. Os embriões foram reidratados em solução de PBS + 0,2% de BSA + 0,3M de sacarose e em solução de PBS + 0,2% de BSA ambos por 3 minutos. Para avaliar o desenvolvimento, os embriões, após a descongelação, foram co-cultivados com células da granulosa em meio TCM199 ou SOFaa por 4 dias. Os dados foram analisados com o aplicativo PROC MIXED do programa SAS Sistems for Windows®. O grupo controlado apresentou índices de eclosão de 44,65% ± 5,94 e 11,65 ± 3,37 para o meio TCM199 e para o meio SOFaa, respectivamente. Embriões do grupo rápido não apresentaram eclosão, independente do meio de cultivo. O grupo vitrificação apresentou índices de eclosão de 9,43% ± 6,77 e 8,67% ± 4,47, respectivamente, em meio TCM199 e SOFaa. Os valores foram significativos quando p<0,05. O grupo controlado apresentou diferença em relação aos outros grupos em ambos os meios de cultivo. No meio TCM199 os índices de re-expansão e eclosão foram mais altos. Para a análise da expressão gênica, 2 pools de 10 blastocistos expandidos de embriões frescos e criopreservados (congelação controlada) foram utilizados para a extração de RNA. Foi feita reação de Transcrição Reversa (RT-PCR) e de PCR em Tempo Real. Os resultados da reação de PCR em Tempo Real demonstraram que a quantidade de material não foi suficiente para a amplificação de produtos em todas as reações. Concluindo, o meio de cultivo TCM199 exerce influência sobre o desenvolvimento embrionário após a criopreservação, sendo mais apropriado do que o meio SOFaa. E, para proceder a análise da expressão gênica pela reação de PCR em Tempo Real é necessário número maior de blastocistos expandidos. / The inefficiency of embryo cryopreservation protocols limits the broad use of in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos. The aim of this work was to identify the damage caused by cryopreservation and embryo culture of in vitro produced bovine embryos after thawing by morphological analysis, gene expression and in vitro development before and after cryopreservation. Cummulus-oocyte complexes were in vitro matured, fertilized and cultured. Expanded blastocysts (n= 600) harvested on days 7-9 were submitted controlled freezing [controlled group: 10% ethylene glycol (EG) for 10 minutes and 1.2oC per minute cryopreservation], quick-freezing [quick group: 10% EG for 10 minutes, 20% EG + 20% Glycerol (Gly) for 30 seconds] or vitrification [vitrification group: 10% EG for 10 minutes, 25% EG + 25% Gly for 30 seconds] protocols. The embryos of the control group were not exposed to cryoprotectant or crypreservation method and the hatching rate was evaluated on day12 post-insemination. The straws (quick and vitrification groups) were first placed on nitrogen vapor (0.8 cm over the liquid nitrogen) for 2 minutes and than immersed in liquid nitrogen. Embryos were thawed in air for 10 seconds followed by 25oC water bath for 20 seconds. Embryos were rehydrated in PBS + 0.2% BSA + 0.3M sucrose for 3 minutes and PBS + 0.2% BSA for the same time. In order to evaluate development of frozen-thawed embryos they were cocultured on granulosa cells in TCM 199 or SOFaa for 4 days. Hatching rate of control group was 46.09%. Data was analyzed by PROC MIXED model of SAS Sistems for Windows®. Controlled group hatching rate was 44.65% ± 5.94 and 11.65% ± 3.37 for TCM 199 and in SOFaa, respectively. Embryos submitted to quick group did not hatch regardless of culture condition. Vitrification group showed hatching rates of 9.43% ± 6.77 and 8.67% ± 4.47, respectively, in TCM 199 and SOFaa., and values were significant at p<0.05. The controlled group showed difference between the other groups of cryopreservation in both medium (TCM 199 and SOFaa). However, TCM 199 showed high rates of re-expansion and hatching. To gene expression analysis, 2 pools of 10 expanded blastocysts of fresh and cryopreserved embryos (controlled freezing) was used to RNA extraction, Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was done and submitted to a Real Time PCR. The results of the Real Time PCR showed that the amount of material was not enough to the amplification of products in all reactions. In conclusion, the culture medium influences the embryo development after the cryopreservation being TCM199 more appropriate than SOFaa. And more number of expanded blastocysts is necessary to analysis the gene expression in a Real Time PCR reaction.

This thesis investigates the applicability of novel approaches designed to study the molecular mechanisms required for the initiation of organogenesis within the early endoderm. The endoderm is the germ layer that gives rise to the gut-tube and associated organs including the thyroid, lung, liver and pancreas. Our laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the developmental transition from endoderm to liver and pancreas. Several signaling pathways including Wnt, Retinoic Acid (RA), Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) have been implicated in the emergence of the liver bud from the endoderm in the mouse or other vertebrate species. However, neither the exact signals nor the precise roles during budding process have been identified, due to the complexity of specifically altering these essential pathways using traditional genetic approaches during the earliest stages of endoderm organogenesis. These traditional techniques include transgenic, knockout or conditional knockouts strategies. To overcome the difficulties of genetic accessibility, our laboratory has optimized two complementary approaches, electroporation and addition of activators or inhibitors directly to the culture media, to study the earliest stages of organ formation using an ex vivo culture system (whole embryo culture), that allow us for normal embryonic development for up to two days. This ex-vivo technique also provides the opportunity to access and manipulate the endoderm, specifically the liver and pancreas precursor cells, prior to organ specification. Because the endoderm undergoes normal liver and pancreas specification in our ex vivo system by 24 hours after culture begin, we reason that it is possible to manipulate gene expression at the onset of culture. We then determine the effects of this manipulation on liver or pancreas development by molecular and morphological analysis after culture. The first approach we developed is the use of directional electroporation of nucleic acids to manipulate a specific region of the endoderm, particularly on liver and pancreas developmental processes. The second method is global inhibition or activation using inhibitors or growth factors activators, focusing on the TGFβ signaling pathway. These techniques will be performed prior to, or concurrent with, liver and pancreas specification, followed by embryo culture until after the onset of organogenesis. The combination of these techniques constitutes a practical approach to stage-manage the endoderm in a temporally and spatially distinct manner. In addition, it will allow us to alter specific signaling pathways without the labor-intensive generation of genetically modified animals. Indeed, establishment of these methodologies may provide a robust tool for rapid screening of candidate genes and signaling molecules underlying organogenesis in any endodermally derived organ in mouse embryos.

Orientador: Fernanda da Cruz Landim-Alvarenga / Resumo: As tecnologias de reprodução assistida, tais como a fertilização in vitro (FIV), transferência de embriões, transgenia e clonagem, ainda não tem o impacto comercial desejado devido a baixa produção embrionária. Apenas 30 a 40% dos blastocistos desenvolvidos são obtidos de oócitos após a MIV, fertilização e cultivo dos embriões, embora 80% dos oócitos maturados in vitro sejam fertilizados com sucesso. O soro fetal bovino (SFB) é o suplemento mais utilizado no cultivo de embriões in vitro, uma vez que melhora o desenvolvimento dos blastocistos. Apesar disso, sua presença está relacionada a alterações do metabolismo embrionário, perda de qualidade e indução de modificações na expressão de vários genes embrionários. Na tentativa de minimizar os efeitos deletérios do SFB, várias citocinas e fatores de crescimento têm sido acrescentados aos meios de cultivo embrionários in vitro, com a intenção de mimetizar as condições de cultivo in vivo. O presente experimento tem como objetivo avaliar e comparar os efeitos da adição do SFB e de meio condicionado por células mesenquimais estromais (MSCs) durante o cultivo embrionário. Os parâmetros analisados foram a viabilidade embrionária, apoptose e o perfil transcricional de genes relacionados à qualidade dos embriões. Não foi observado uma diferença (P≥0,05) na clivagem dos blastocistos, porém observou-se que a taxa de produção de embriões utilizando SFB no CIV foi maior (P≤0,05) quando comparada com MC, mas não diferiu (P≥0,05) do grupo pro... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Endometrial mesenchymal stromal cell (eMSCs) secretes bioactive molecules such as cytokines and growth factors which are released as soluble factors or through extracellular vesicles (EVs). Conditioned medium (CM) of the MSCs maintains the immunomodulation and regenerative potential properties of the cells that produced it. This study investigated the use of CM by eMSC plus BSA as alternative to FBS in embryo culture medium. The developmental ability and quality of bovine embryos were determined by assessing their cell number and gene expression. The percentage of embryos that underwent cleavage was similar (P>0.05) among the groups but blastocyst formation was higher (P<0.05) in FBS group. The total cell number was higher in CM group, but not statistically different from the others (P>0.05). The relative mRNA expression of ELOVL6 was higher in the CM group, CASP3 in the BSA group, ACSL3 and VEGF in the FBS group. Taken together, these data suggest that CM can be used as an alternative supplement to FBS. We observed a different gene expression profile, suggesting the CM inhibited an increase in the relative mRNA levels for CASP3. Moreover, the CM favored the total number cells, inhibited the percentage of cells in apoptosis and produces better quality embryo. / Mestre

The expanding therapeutic use of thalidomide (TD) remains limited by its species-specific teratogenicity in humans and rabbits, but not rodents. The R and S isomers of TD may be selectively responsible for its respective therapeutic and teratogenic effects, but rapid in vivo racemization makes this impossible to confirm. Fluorothalidomide (FTD), a fluorinated TD analogue with stable, non-racemizing isomers, may serve as a model compound for determining stereoselective effects. In vivo, FTD was undetectable in plasma, suggesting rapid breakdown, as confirmed in vitro, where FTD hydrolyzed up to 22-fold faster than TD. Unlike TD, FTD in pregnant rabbits and mice was highly toxic and lethal to both dams and fetuses. In rabbit embryo culture, FTD initiated optic (eye) vesicle and hindbrain but not classic limb bud embryopathies. Chemical instability, potent general toxicity and absence of limb bud embryopathies make FTD an unsuitable stereoselective model for TD teratogenesis. TD teratogenesis may involve its bioactivation by embryonic prostaglandin H synthases (PHSs) to a free radical intermediate that increases embryopathic reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. However, the teratogenic potential of rapidly formed TD hydrolysis products and the determinants of species-specific teratogenesis are unclear. For some teratogens, mouse strains that are resistant in vivo are susceptible in embryo culture, suggesting maternal and/or placental determinants of risk. However, TD and two hydrolysis products, 2-phthalimidoglutaramic acid (PGMA) and 2-phthalimidoglutaraic acid (PGA), were non-embryopathic in CD-1 mouse embryo culture. Also, mice deficient in oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1), which repairs oxidatively damaged DNA, were resistant to TD embryopathies in culture and in vivo. Therefore, murine resistance to TD teratogenesis is dependent on embryonic factors, rather than maternal/placental determinants or increased DNA repair. In contrast, rabbit embryos exposed in culture to TD, PGMA and PGA exhibited head/brain, otic (ear) vesicle and classic limb bud embryopathies, validating the first mammalian embryo culture model for TD teratogenesis and providing the first evidence of a teratogenic role for TD hydrolysis products. Pretreatment with eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), a dual PHS/lipoxygenase inhibitor, or phenylbutylnitrone (PBN), a free radical spin trapping agent, completely blocked TD, PGMA and PGA-initiated embryopathies, implicating a PHS-dependent, ROS-mediated embryopathic mechanism.