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. 1997 Jul;14(7):404–411. doi: 10.1007/BF02766149

Effects of epidermal growth factor on preimplantation mouse embryos

Atushi Terada 1, Hiroyuki Minoura 1,✉, Nagayasu Toyoda 1
PMCID: PMC3454775  PMID: 9285326

Abstract

Purpose:Our purpose was to clarify the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on mouse preimplantation embryos.

Methods:We examined the effect of EGF on two-cell and four-cell stage mouse embryos cultured in vitro. In preimplantation embryos, we analyzed the binding of125I-EGF by autoradiography and EGF receptor mRNA by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results:At more than 0.005 ng/ml, EGF relieved the two-cell block and regulated the differentiation of morula-stage embryos. These effects were negated by antiserum. EGF did not exhibit any marked effect on embryos between the four-cell and the morula stages. Specific binding for EGF and EGF receptor mRNA was detected during and after the morula stage.

Conclusions:The effects of EGF on preimplantation mouse embryos differed according to the stage of development, promoting cleavage before the four-cell stage and regulating differentiation after the morula stage. This regulatory action is thought to be transmitted to the cells via EGF receptors.

Key words: epidermal growth factor, preimplantation mouse embryo, epidermal growth factor receptor, development

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