Teratogenic Role of Selective Retinoids Receptor Agonists on the Growth of Peri-implantation and Early Post-implantation Stage Murine Embryos In Vitro

Kang, B M; Chae, H D; Chu, H S; Kang, E H; Kim, J H; Chang, Y S; Lee, C B

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To identify the specific teratogenic role of retinoic acid receptor [RAR] alpha, beta and gamma-agonist, the growth of murine embryos that were exposed to the retinoids agonists was examined in periimplantation and early postimplantation stage in vitro. Materials and
METHODS
Blastocysts were obtained by ovarian stimulation of 6 to 8 weeks old Swiss Webster female albino mice, and cultured with CMRL1066 media containing 1mM glutamine, 1mM sodium pyruvate, 50IU/ml penicillin and 50 g/ml streptomycin. Alpha, beta and gamma-retinoids agonists were added. The embryos were categorized into 4 groups on the basis of retinoids agonists [control: no agonist, alpha, beta and gamma]. The embryos in each group were reclassified into three subgroups according to the degree of degradation [normal embryo group, abnormal egg cylinder group and devoid of egg cylinder group].
RESULTS
Four hundred and three grossly normal blastocysts were confirmed. On day 3 culture all embryos showed a normal growth. On day 4 culture, the embryos with abnormal egg cylinder region appeared only in alpha-agonist group. On day 6 and 8 culture, the rates of development to normal LEC and ES, to embryo with abnormal egg cylinder region, and to embryos devoid of egg cylinder region were significantly different according to the specific retinoids agonists. The production rates of malformed embryos were highest in alpha-agonist group. Gamma agonist group was the next. The development rates to normal embryo were decreased as the culture duration increased. Conculsion: The order of intensity and the time sequence of the teratogenic effect of retinoids agonists were alpha>gamma>beta.