Effect of GM-CSF on the Embryonic Development and the Expression of Implantation Related Genes of Mouse Embryos.

Kim,  Dong Hoon; Ko,  Duck Sung; Lee,  Hoi Chang; Lee,  Ho Joon; Kang,  Hee Gyoo; Kim,  Tai Jeon; Park,  Won Il; Kim,  Seung Samuel

Original Article

Korean Journal of Fertility and Sterility 2002;29(2):83-90.
Published online June 1, 2002.

Effect of GM-CSF on the Embryonic Development and the Expression of Implantation Related Genes of Mouse Embryos.

Dong Hoon Kim, Duck Sung Ko, Hoi Chang Lee, Ho Joon Lee, Hee Gyoo Kang, Tai Jeon Kim, Won Il Park, Seung Samuel Kim

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current series of experiments were to assess the effect of GM-CSF, as a medium supplement, on the development of mouse embryos and the expression of LIF and IL-1beta mRNA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mouse 2-cell embryos were collected from the oviducts of 6 weeks old ICR mice at 48 hours after hCG injection. Embryos were cultured in P-1 medium supplemented with mouse GM-CSF(0,1,5,10 ng/ml). The embryo development to blastocysts and hatching blastocysts was assessed and the cell number in blastocyst was also examined. Using RT-PCR, the expressions of LIF and IL-1beta mRNA in blastocyst were evaluated in the GM-CSF supplemented group and control group. RESULTS: In mouse, the addition of GM-CSF increased the percentage of blastocysts(65.5%, 68.6%, 73.0% and 76.1% for control and 1, 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively), and increased the proportion of hatching blastocysts(35.2%, 36.4%, 43.2% and 53.0% for control and 1, 5 and 10 ng/ml, respectively). The mean cell numbers in blastocyst were significantly increased in GM-CSF supplemented groups compared to control group. LIF and IL-1beta expression in blastocysts were significantly higher in GM-CSF supplemented group than in control group. CONCLUSION: The results of experiment by mouse embryos showed beneficial effects of GM-CSF as a medium supplement. Furthermore, the addition of GM-CSF significantly increased the expression of LIF and IL-1beta in mouse embryos. These results suggest that GM-CSF might be a important molecule in embryo implantation.