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Embryonic Platelet-Activating Factor: Temporal Expression of the Ligand and Receptor

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Abstract

Purpose : Preimplantation embryos synthesize platelet-activating factor (PAF) and this embryo-derived PAF is required for development. PAF's signal transduction is receptor-mediated and PAF-receptor mRNA is present in early embryos. The study objective was to determine the relationship between PAF production and PAF-receptor mRNA expression levels in mouse preimplantation embryos.

Methods : Embryo-derived PAF levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Embryonic PAF-receptor mRNA levels were determined by semiquantitated reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results : Embryonic-PAF increased as time progressed at a relatively constant rate (1.4–1.9×) except between the eight- and morula-cell stages where levels increased sevenfold. Embryonic PAF-receptor expression was highest at the two-cell stage and decreased steadily until the morula stage before increasing again. Regression analysis of embryo-derived PAF on PAF-receptor expression does not demonstrate a significant relationship.

Conclusions : PAF-receptor expression (mRNA) levels decrease, while embryo-derived PAF levels decrease, as the preimplantation embryo develops. Embryonic-PAF and PAF-receptor mRNA expression do not appear related. Therefore, embryonic-PAF does not appear to regulate expression of its own receptor in vitro. The data provide a clue to the complicated cell signaling system involving PAF production and receptor expression that may help our understanding of developmental events.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Biology Associates, 1150 Lake Hearn Drive, Suite 400, Atlanta, Georgia, 30342

    William E. Roudebush & Elissa T. Purnell

  2. Advanced Reproductive Technologies Program, The Women's Center at University Community Hospital, Tampa, Florida

    Neil R. Stoddart

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

    Steven D. Fleming

Authors
  1. William E. Roudebush
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  2. Elissa T. Purnell
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  3. Neil R. Stoddart
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  4. Steven D. Fleming
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Correspondence to William E. Roudebush.

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Roudebush, W.E., Purnell, E.T., Stoddart, N.R. et al. Embryonic Platelet-Activating Factor: Temporal Expression of the Ligand and Receptor. J Assist Reprod Genet 19, 72–78 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014443630722

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