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Melatonin modulates the expression of BCL-xl and improve the development of vitrified embryos obtained by IVF in mice

  • Embryo Biology
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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of melatonin on development of in vitro fertilization (IVF)/vitrified two-cell mouse embryos were evaluated in this study.

Methods

The IVF two-cell embryos were vitrified by cryotop, and were cultured in KSOM medium in different concentrations of melatonin (10−6, 10−9, 10−12 M) and without melatonin. The blastocyst cell number, apoptotic cells and glutathione (GSH) level were evaluated by differential, TUNEL and cell tracker blue staining, respectively. The expression of Bax and Bcl-xl genes was evaluated by qPCR. The expression of melatonin receptors (Mtnr1a and Mtnr1b) in mouse 2-cell embryos and blastocysts was evaluated by RT-PCR.

Results

Melatonin increased the rate of cleavage and blastulation at 10−12 M concentration (p < 0.05). The number of trophectoderm and inner cell mass showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in 10−9 M melatonin. The 10−9 M and 10−12 M melatonin treatments significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the apoptotic index. The significant increase in the expression of Bcl-xl observed at 10−9 M concentration however, reduced expression of Bax was not statistically significant. The levels of GSH in 10−9 and 10−12 M groups were significantly improved relative to the control group (p < 0.05). The Mtnr1a was expressed in 2-cell embryos and blastocysts in all groups, but the expression of Mntr1b was not detected.

Conclusion

Melatonin may have a special role against oxidative stress in protection of IVF/vitrified embryos.

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Acknowledgments

This paper was taken from the master’s thesis research project by Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Transgenic Animal Science, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Dehghani-Mohammadabadi & Sedigheh Nematollahi

  2. Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, 193954717, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Salehi & Fattaneh Farifteh

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Salehi

  4. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran

    Ehsan Arefian & Atena Hajjarizadeh

  5. Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Kazem Parivar & Zahra Nourmohammadi

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  1. Maryam Dehghani-Mohammadabadi
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  2. Mohammad Salehi
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  4. Sedigheh Nematollahi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Salehi.

Additional information

Capsule Exogenous melatonin has been found to affect BCL-xl expression and enhance in vitro developmental potenial of mice embryos after vitrification.

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Dehghani-Mohammadabadi, M., Salehi, M., Farifteh, F. et al. Melatonin modulates the expression of BCL-xl and improve the development of vitrified embryos obtained by IVF in mice. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 453–461 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0172-9

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