Objective: To investigate the relationship between cell apoptosis and the quality of early mouse embryos, understand the significance of apoptosis-regulatory genes in early embryonic development, and explore a new approach to improving the embryo quality.
Methods: The levels of cell apoptosis and proliferation in early mouse embryos in different developmental status (morphologically normal embryos, arrested embryos and fragmented embryos) were analyzed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), caspase in situ fluorescence and Bcl-2 immunofluorescence, and immunofluorescent detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
Results: The cells in arrested embryos and embryonic fragments showed positive results in TUNEL assay with enhanced caspase activity and lowered expressions of Bcl-2 and PCNA.
Conclusion: Cell apoptosis in early mouse embryos may be closely related to embryonic arrest and fragmentation.