IDENTIFICATION DES CORTICOSTEROIDES SECRETES PAR LES SURRENALES EMBRYONNAIRES DE VEAU, LAPIN ET SOURIS CULTIVEES IN VITRO

1970 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Chouraqui ◽  
J.-P. Weniger

ABSTRACT Adrenals from calf, rabbit and mouse embryos were incubated with [1-14C] sodium acetate. The corticosteroids were extracted from the incubation media and identified by sequential thin-layer radiochromatography and derivative formation, either alone or combined with recrystallization to constant specific activity. It is concluded that adrenals from calf embryo synthesize in vitro cortisol, corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone; from rabbit embryo, cortisone, cortisol and aldosterone; and from mouse embryo, cortisol, corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone and aldosterone.

1971 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027-1031
Author(s):  
J L Ayres ◽  
D J Lee ◽  
R O Sinnhuber

Abstract A new method for the preparation of 14C- and 3H-labeled aflatoxins was devised, using rice as a supporting mold media. Labeled precursors were added to sterile rice and the mixture was inoculated with Aspergillus flavus spores. After a 7 day incubation at 25°C, the toxins were extracted with chloroform and purified by column chromatography and subsequent recrystallization. Aflatoxins B1 and G1 were recovered with 70% efficiency from the culture. Incorporation of radioactivity was examined with glucose-U-14C, sodium acetate-1-14C, and sodium acetate-2-14C. The latter gave the most efficient incorporation of 14C at 0.1% for aflatoxin B1 and 0.05% for aflatoxin G1. Conversion of 3H from tritiated water was 0.006% for aflatoxin B1 and 0.003% for aflatoxin G1. Extensive tests of radiopurity were performed on the labeled toxin which included: recrystallization to constant specific activity, thin layer and column chromatography, and hydrogenation of aflatoxin B1 to tetrahydrodeoxoaflatoxin B1. The rice-culturing technique gave good toxin yields of 1 mg aflatoxin B1/g rice. The purification was simplified by the absence of highly radioactive impurities and no appreciable degradation of labeled toxins was noted throughout extraction and purification.


1971 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Schenker ◽  
W. Z. Polishuk ◽  
B. Eckstein

ABSTRACT Postmenopausal ovarian tissue homogenates were incubated with [7α-3H]-pregnenolone as substrate. In six independent incubations only androstenedione and testosterone were found. These androgens were isolated by column and thin-layer chromatography and identified by derivative formation and recrystallization to constant specific activity. In one of the incubations, the homogenate was divided into 3 parts. From one part incubated with [7α-3H] pregnenolone, androstenedione and testosterone were identified. From the second and third parts of the homogenate which were incubated with [4-14C]progesterone and [4-14C] testosterone respectively, the substrates were recovered unmetabolized at the end of the incubation. From these results it is deduced that the postmenopausal ovary can not aromatize androgens to oestrogens and that in this particular tissue the Δ5 pathway is the preferred route of androstenedione production.


1969 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon J. Sholiton ◽  
Emile E. Werk

ABSTRACT Rat and bovine brain have been incubated with testosterone-4-14C under standard conditions. With use of paper chromatography, the extracted metabolites were noted to fall into less-polar, iso-polar, and more polar fractions. The components of the less-polar fraction were separated by acetylation and thin-layer chromatography and the major end-products identified by recrystallization to constant specific activity or constant 3H/14C ratios. Androst-4-enedione and 5α-dihydrotestosterone were formed consistently under the conditions utilized. Trace amounts of other less-polar metabolites were noted occasionally.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Liu ◽  
C Jones ◽  
K Coward

Abstract Study question What is the mechanism of embryo hatching? Will laser-assisted zona pellucida (ZP) drilling alter the embryonic transcriptome? Summary answer Hatching is an ATP-dependent process. Hatching is also associated with Rho-mediated signaling. Laser-assisted ZP drilling might cause alternation in embryo metabolism. What is known already Embryo hatching is a vital process for early embryo development and implantation. Animal data suggests that hatching is the result of multiple factors, such as mechanical pressure, protease activation, and the regulation of maternal secretions. However, little is known about the regulatory signaling mechanisms and the molecules involved. In addition, despite the extensive use of laser-assisted ZP drilling in the clinic, the safety profile of this technique at molecular level is very sparse. The impact of this technique on the embryonic transcriptome has not been studied systematically. Study design, size, duration Eighty mouse embryos were randomly divided into a laser ZP drilling group (n = 40) and an untreated group (n = 40). After treatment, embryos were cultured in vitro for two days. Then, hatching blastocyst (n = 8) and pre-hatching blastocyst (n = 8) from the untreated group, and the hatching blastocyst from the treatment group (n = 8) were processed for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Participants/materials, setting, methods Cryopreserved 8-cell stage mouse embryos (B6C3F1 × B6D2F1) were thawed, and a laser was used to drill the embryo ZP in the treatment group. Next, the treated and untreated embryos were individually cultured in vitro to the E4.5 blastocyst stage. The resulting blastocysts were lysed individually and used for subsequent cDNA library preparation and RNA-seq. Following data quality control and alignment, the RNA-seq data were processed for differentially expressed gene analysis and downstream functional analysis. Main results and the role of chance According to the RNA-seq data, 275 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (230 up-regulated and 45 down-regulated, adjusted P < 0.05) were identified when comparing hatching and pre-hatching blastocysts in the control groups. Analysis suggested that the trophectoderm is the primary cell type involved in hatching, and revealed the potential molecules causing increased blastocyst hydrostatic pressure (Aqp3 and Cldn4). Functional enrichment analysis suggested that ATP metabolism and protein synthesis were activated in hatching blastocysts. DEGs were found to be significantly enriched in several gene ontology terms, particularly in terms of the organization of the cytoskeleton and actin polymerisation (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, according to QIAGEN ingenuity pathway analysis results, Rho signaling was implicated in blastocyst hatching (Actb, Arpc2, Cfl1, Myl6, Pfn1, Rnd3, Septin9, z-score=2.65, P < 0.0001). Moreover, the potential role of hormones (estrogen (z-score=2.24) and prolactin (z-score=2.4)) and growth factors (AGT (z-score=2.41) and FGF2 (z-score=2.213)) were implicated in the hatching process as indicated by the upstream regulator analysis. By comparing the transcriptome between laser-treated and untreated hatching blastocysts, 47 DEGs were identified (adjusted P < 0.05) following laser-assisted ZP drilling. These genes were enriched in metabolism-related pathways (P < 0.05), including the lipid metabolism pathway (Mvd, Mvk, Aacs, Gsk3a, Pik3c2a, Aldh9a1) and the xenobiotic metabolism pathway (Aldh18a1, Aldh9a1, Keap1, and Pik3c2a). Limitations, reasons for caution Findings in mouse embryos may not be fully representative of human embryos. Furthermore, the mechanism of hatching revealed here might only reflect the hatching process of embryos in vitro. Further studies are now necessary to confirm these findings in different conditions and species to determine their clinical significance. Wider implications of the findings: Our study profiled the mouse embryo transcriptome during in vitro hatching, identified potential key genes and mechanisms for future study. In addition, for the first time, we revealed the impact of laser-assisted ZP drilling on the transcriptome, this may help us to assess and improve the existing technique. Trial registration number Not applicable


Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.P. Tam

Orthotopic grafts of wheat germ agglutinin-colloidal gold conjugate (WGA-gold) labelled cells were used to demonstrate differences in the segmental fate of cells in the presomitic mesoderm of the early-somite-stage mouse embryos developing in vitro. Labelled cells in the anterior region of the presomitic mesoderm colonized the first three somites formed after grafting, while those grafted to the middle region of this tissue were found mostly in the 4th-7th newly formed somites. Labelled cells grafted to the posterior region were incorporated into somites whose somitomeres were not yet present in the presomitic mesoderm at the time of grafting. There was therefore an apparent posterior displacement of the grafted cells in the presomitic mesoderm. Colonization of somites by WGA-gold labelled cells was usually limited to two to three consecutive somites in the chimaera. The distribution of cells derived from a single graft to two somites was most likely due to the segregation of the labelled population when cells were allocated to adjacent meristic units during somite formation. Further spreading of the labelled cells to several somites in some cases was probably the result of a more extensive mixing of mesodermal cells among the somitomeres prior to somite segmentation.


Development ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Joseph R. McPhee ◽  
Thomas R. Van De Water

The otocyst is the epithelial anlage of the membranous labyrinth which interacts with surrounding cephalic mesenchyme to form an otic capsule. A series of in vitro studies was performed to gain a better understanding of the epithelial—mesenchymal interactions involved in this process. Parallel series of otocyst/mesenchyme (O/M) and isolated periotic mesenchyme (M) explants provided morphological and biochemical data to define the role of the otocyst in organizing and directing formation of its cartilaginous otic capsule. Explants were made from mouse embryos ranging in age from 10 to 14 days of gestation, and organ cultured under identical conditions until the chronological equivalent of 16 days of gestation. Expression of chrondrogenesis was determined by both histology and biochemistry. The in vitro behaviour of periotic mesenchyme explanted either with or without an otocyst supports several hypotheses that explain aspects of otic capsule development. The results indicate that (a) prior to embryonic day 12 the otocyst alone is not sufficient to stimulate chondrogenesis of the otic capsule within O/M explants; (b) the otocyst acts as an inductor of capsule chondrogenesis within O/M explants between embryonic days 12 to 13; (c) isolated mesenchyme within M explants taken from 13-day-old embryos are capable of initiating in vitro chondrogenesis, but without expressing capsule morphology in the absence of the otocyst; and (d) the isolated mesenchyme of M explants obtained from 14-day-old embryos expresses both chondrogenesis and otic capsule morphology in the absence of the otocyst. These findings suggest that the otocyst acts as an inductor of chondrogenesis of periotic mesenchyme tissue between embryonic days 11 to 13, and controls capsular morphogenesis between embryonic days 13 to 14 in the mouse embryo.


Development ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-217
Author(s):  
Janet L. Wiebold ◽  
Gary B. Anderson

2- to 4-cell and morula- to blastocyst-stage mouse embryos were cultured for 1 h in tritiated leucine at two specific activities and their subsequent development followed in vitro and in vivo (after transfer to recipients), respectively. 2- to 4-cell embryos that incorporated an average of 42 d.p.m. per embryo were impaired in their ability to develop to the morula and blastocyst stage. Recipients receiving morulae and blastocysts that had incorporated an average of 384 d.p.m. per embryo failed to produce young. Reduction of the specific activity improved the viability of embryos both in vitro and in vivo but development was still less than that of unlabelled embryos. Protein degradation curves were different for both 2- to 4-cell and morulato blastocyst-stage embryos labelled at the two different specific activities. Most studies using tritiated amino acids have employed higher specific activities than those used here and they may have to be reevaluated due to the possibility of radiation-induced artifacts.


Development ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-615
Author(s):  
M. H. L. Snow

Mouse embryos were grown in vitro from the 2-cell stage to blastocysts in the presence of [3H]thymidine. Methyl-T-thymidine and thymidine-6-T(n) were used and both forms found to be lethal at concentrations above 0·1 μCi/ml. Both forms of [3H]Tdr at concentrations between 0·01 and 0·1 μCi/ml caused a highly significant (P < 0·001) reduction in blastocyst cell number. The reduction in cell number, which was positively correlated with specific activity and tritium concentration, was associated with cell damage typical of radiation damage caused by tritium disintegration. Thymidine-6-T(n) also significantly reduced the number of 2-cell embryos forming blastocysts whereas methyl-T-Tdr did not. This difference in effect is assumed to be caused by contamination of one form of [3H]Tdr with a by-product of the tritiation process. A study of the cleavage stages showed that almost all the reduction in cell numbers could be accounted for by selective cell death occurring at the 16-cell stage. Cells which survive that stage cleave at a normal rate. The cells that are most susceptible to [3H]Tdr damage were found to normally contribute to the inner cell mass. The [3H]Tdr-resistant cells form the trophoblast. It is possible to grow blastocysts in [3H]Tdr such that they contain no inner cell mass but are composed entirely of trophoblast. Comparatively short (12 h) incubation with [3H]Tdr at any stage prior to the 16-cell stage will cause this damage. Possible reasons for this differential effect are discussed, and also compared with damage caused by X-irradiation.


1973 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. DAVIES ◽  
K. J. RYAN

SUMMARY [7-3H]Pregnenolone was incubated with homogenates of adrenal glands from two 100-day-old sheep foetuses. Cortisol and corticosterone were isolated and identified by reverse isotope dilution and recrystallization to constant specific activity. Together these two compounds accounted for 12% and 17% of the substrate with the two tissue preparations. Other C21 and C19 metabolites which were sought were not present in appreciable quantities. Additional incubations were done with the adrenals of lamb foetuses ranging in age from 110 days of gestation to the immediate newborn period. Glucocorticoidogenic capacity similar to that of the 100-day-old foetuses was demonstrated throughout this period and no age-related change was evident. These results demonstrate that the lamb foetal adrenal has a substantial enzymic capacity for glucocorticoid synthesis throughout at least the last third of gestation. In conjunction with the observations of others, these experiments support the hypothesis that during this period of gestation the lamb foetal adrenal is actively synthesizing glucocorticoids in a manner which is similar to the lamb at term and the adult sheep.


1969 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubertus A. van Leusden ◽  
Maria Siemerink

ABSTRACT Vesicles of hydatidiform moles were incubated in the presence of [7α-3H]pregnenolone, After the incubation and extraction of tissues and media, 17α-hydroxy-pregnenolone*, 17α-hydroxy-progesterone and progesterone were identified using a number of TLC systems, followed by crystallization to a constant specific activity. [7α-3H] pregnenolone was not converted to oestrone, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol. The experimental findings indicate that hydatidiform moles, like full term placentas, are deficient in the enzymes necessary to convert C21 to C19 steroids. The production of 17α-hydroxy-progesterone and progesterone in the molar trophoblast in situ may contribute to the considerable urinary excretion of pregnanetriol and pregnanediol in patients with hydatidiform moles.


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