TY - JOUR
T1 - Proteomic Analysis of Domestic Cat Blastocysts and Their Secretome Produced in an In Vitro Culture System without the Presence of the Zona Pellucida
AU - Veraguas-Dávila, Daniel
AU - Zapata-Rojas, Camila
AU - Aguilera, Constanza
AU - Saéz-Ruiz, Darling
AU - Saravia, Fernando
AU - Castro, Fidel Ovidio
AU - Rodriguez-Alvarez, Lleretny
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/4
Y1 - 2024/4
N2 - Domestic cat blastocysts cultured without the zona pellucida exhibit reduced implantation capacity. However, the protein expression profile has not been evaluated in these embryos. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein expression profile of domestic cat blastocysts cultured without the zona pellucida. Two experimental groups were generated: (1) domestic cat embryos generated by IVF and cultured in vitro (zona intact, (ZI)) and (2) domestic cat embryos cultured in vitro without the zona pellucida (zona-free (ZF group)). The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst rates were estimated at days 2, 5 and 7, respectively. Day 7 blastocysts and their culture media were subjected to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The UniProt Felis catus database was used to identify the standard proteome. No significant differences were found in the cleavage, morula, or blastocyst rates between the ZI and ZF groups (p > 0.05). Proteomic analysis revealed 22 upregulated and 20 downregulated proteins in the ZF blastocysts. Furthermore, 14 proteins involved in embryo development and implantation were present exclusively in the culture medium of the ZI blastocysts. In conclusion, embryo culture without the zona pellucida did not affect in vitro development, but altered the protein expression profile and release of domestic cat blastocysts.
AB - Domestic cat blastocysts cultured without the zona pellucida exhibit reduced implantation capacity. However, the protein expression profile has not been evaluated in these embryos. The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein expression profile of domestic cat blastocysts cultured without the zona pellucida. Two experimental groups were generated: (1) domestic cat embryos generated by IVF and cultured in vitro (zona intact, (ZI)) and (2) domestic cat embryos cultured in vitro without the zona pellucida (zona-free (ZF group)). The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst rates were estimated at days 2, 5 and 7, respectively. Day 7 blastocysts and their culture media were subjected to liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The UniProt Felis catus database was used to identify the standard proteome. No significant differences were found in the cleavage, morula, or blastocyst rates between the ZI and ZF groups (p > 0.05). Proteomic analysis revealed 22 upregulated and 20 downregulated proteins in the ZF blastocysts. Furthermore, 14 proteins involved in embryo development and implantation were present exclusively in the culture medium of the ZI blastocysts. In conclusion, embryo culture without the zona pellucida did not affect in vitro development, but altered the protein expression profile and release of domestic cat blastocysts.
KW - embryo–maternal communication
KW - felid embryos
KW - in vitro fertilization
KW - protein expression profile
KW - zona pellucida
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191515374&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/334d60f9-2449-3ec2-9298-3bb3e782d447/
U2 - 10.3390/ijms25084343
DO - 10.3390/ijms25084343
M3 - Article
C2 - 38673927
AN - SCOPUS:85191515374
SN - 1661-6596
VL - 25
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
IS - 8
M1 - 4343
ER -